Severe Storm Hits Wellington, Closing Schools and Canceling Flights

WELLINGTON, New Zealand – On May 1, Wellington faced its strongest winds in over a decade, prompting school closures and flight cancellations. A state of emergency was also declared in parts of the South Island after heavy rain battered the region for 24 hours.

The wind speeds in Wellington surged to an average of 87 kilometers per hour (54 mph), marking the strongest conditions since 2013. Gusts in coastal Baring Head, located south of the capital, reached a staggering 160 kilometers per hour, according to government forecasters.

The government issued a highest-level red wind warning for Wellington, as the emergency management department highlighted dangerous conditions. “This is certainly bigger than your average bad Wellington day,” said Dan Neely, a spokesperson for Wellington’s emergency management department. “Few roads are closed in different parts of the region. We’ve got some waves overtopping coastal roads and dumping some debris.”

With safety as a priority, emergency officials urged residents to stay indoors and secure outdoor items like furniture and trampolines. In one coastal suburb, officials recommended that residents seek alternative accommodation overnight due to concerns about flooding.

By afternoon, Wellington International Airport canceled all flights, and ferry services connecting the North and South Islands were also suspended. Numerous local schools and Victoria University of Wellington decided to close for the day.

In Christchurch, New Zealand’s largest city on the South Island, officials declared a state of emergency as floods, landslides, and fallen trees affected the city’s services. “We expected the weather would ease, which hasn’t happened so declaring will mean we are prepared for anything that may happen overnight,” said Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger.

The Selwyn District, located centrally on the island, issued an earlier emergency warning concerning rising river levels and flooding. District Mayor Sam Broughton advised via Facebook that significant flooding risks had emerged, particularly in low-lying areas, urging residents in those zones to evacuate.

According to MetService, the severe winds in Wellington are expected to persist until early Friday morning, while heavy rainfall continues to strike the South Island.