Gale-force winds and treacherous seas unleashed chaos in Wellington on Tuesday, leading to flight and ferry cancellations, road closures, and urgent evacuation pleas for hundreds of residents along the New Zealand capital’s southern coast.
The severe weather prompted authorities to declare a state of emergency for affected areas.
The Wellington airport experienced significant disruption, with around eight flights cancelled.
A light aircraft was briefly tipped onto its wing and wheel by a powerful gust of wind shortly after landing, although an airport spokesperson confirmed that “nobody was injured and it was quickly righted”.
Air New Zealand advised passengers of potential further disruptions due to the forecast high winds, offering rebooking options.
The weather bureau issued warnings of waves reaching up to 9m along the city’s southern coastline. The Wellington City Council urged people in danger zones to take immediate action. “We are now entering the forecast period for most significant swell impacts. If you’re in the evacuation zone and have not left your property, please shelter in place,” it said in a Facebook post.
Ferry services connecting New Zealand’s North and South Islands were also suspended. Jonathan Delich, an Island Bay resident and owner of Cook Strait Fishing Charters, cancelled all operations for Tuesday and Wednesday.
“We wouldn’t take you fishing even if you wanted to,” he told the New Zealand Herald. “No one in their right mind would go out on the water today.”
Waves are expected to rise rapidly through Tuesday morning and early afternoon along the east coasts of both islands and at the Chatham Islands.