‘Absolutely terrifying’ New Zealand storm leaves 30,000 homes without power

South China Morning Post · Feb 16, 2026 · Collected from RSS

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Heavy rain and strong winds disrupted flights, trains and ferries, forcing the closure of roads across large parts of New Zealand’s North Island on Monday, while snapping power links to tens of thousands.Domestic media reported a few flights had resumed operating by afternoon from the airport in Wellington, the capital, although cancellations were still widespread after authorities said most morning flights were disrupted.Air New Zealand said it hoped to resume services when conditions ease later on Monday, after it paused operations at Wellington, Napier and Palmerston North airports.Online images showed flooded semirural neighbourhoods, inundated homes, trees fallen on vehicles and collapsed sections of road after waters receded.Trees lie near a damaged bridge after heavy rain and wild winds in Puketotara, New Zealand, on Saturday. Photo: Wayne Feisst via ReutersThe weather had been “absolutely terrifying”, Marilyn Bulford, who lives in the rural town of Bunnythorpe, ‌about 160km (100 miles) north of Wellington, told The New Zealand Herald newspaper.“I’ve never seen huge trees blowing around this much,” she added. “It’s so bad. I haven’t seen anything like it.”