It’s a new year, 2018. Happy New Year to everyone. And what a wonderful holiday period we have had, up till now.
After very warm, settled weather during the Christmas and New Year period, wild weather has affected some parts of the North Island and northern South Island.
Power lines are down in Northland and many other places. The wind makes it difficult for linesmen to restore the power.
Strong winds in the centre of the North Island brought down trees. Some ferry services in the Auckland harbour were cancelled today.
Flooding in the Bay of Plenty region along the coast, along with very high tides have caused problems in houses near the shore. Parts of Wellington were flooded. Tamaki Rd in Auckland was closed because of a risk of flooding. People in homes on the Coromandel Peninsula have had to evacuate their homes. The Heathcote River in Christchurch is likely to break its banks and flood into streets and possibly into houses.
Slips have closed roads in some areas with steep cliffs. Kaikoura is cut off once again as the road from the south is closed because of the risk of rocks sliding down the cliffs.
At this time of year, when many people are on holiday, campgrounds are full. Rain and wind have made conditions very unpleasant for campers staying in tents.
It’s hard to believe that just a day ago, we had calm, hot weather.
The Met Service warns that the wild weather is not yet finished.
Vocabulary
• settled – calm, unchanging, staying the same
• restore – get it working again
• evacuate – leave their homes
• slips – rocks slide down the cliff
• cut off – isolated, the road into Kaikoura from the south is closed
• Met Service – Meteorological office which tells us the weather