Historical emergencies

Vector wishes to advise that crews have made good progress with restoring affected customers this afternoon. This brings the total number of customers out down to 39,600, down from the 85,000 out at the height of the substation fire this morning. Suburbs still affected by the damaged cables are Sylvia Park, Remuera, Mt Wellington, St Johns, Orakei and St Heliers - these customers are expected to be without power until Monday evening. Crews will continue to work Sunday night and throughout Monday in order to get customers restored as soon as possible. Major services such as water, sewerage and telecommunications are being kept operational by generators in affected areas. Traffic congestion and delays are expected in affected areas for Monday morning. Public transport is operating as normal but there are some delays to bus services. Generators have been provided for the traffic lights at key intersections and Police and Council contractors will be assisting to direct traffic where required.

Vector advises that up to 85,000 customers are without power in parts of central Auckland from Greenlane to Otahuhu. Affected customers could be without power for 24 - 48 hours particularly in the suburbs of St Johns, Remuera, Sylvia Park and Mt Wellington. Vector advise that medically dependent or vulnerable customers should make alternative arrangements.

FLOODING IN ROTORUA: FLOODING HAS OCCURED IN A NUMBER OF AREAS OF ROTORUA AS A RESULT OF THE SEVERE WEATHER OVERNIGHT.

MetService have issued a Severe Weather Warning for the Bay of Plenty. For the Coromandel Peninsula and Bay of Plenty west of Rotorua Southwesterlies are expected to rise to severe gale for a time from late afternoon until late tonight. Gusts of 120km/h are possible in exposed places, especially about just east of the Coromandel and Kaimai Ranges.

In 16hrs from 8am this morning 120-180mm in the southern part of Gisborne District.

The Mayor of Wanganui declared a local state of emergency in Wanganui in response to persistent heavy rain and high river levels.

Potential Threat to New Zealand advisory for North Cape, Auckland West, East Cape, Gisborne, Auckland East, New Plymouth, Wellington.

Volcanic activity at Mt Tongariro. As GNS Science reports that the current status of Mount Tongariro is likely to remain indefinitely, with gas and steam emission continuing to be a feature for several years, this will be the last update published on the MCDEM website until the situation changes.

Lyttelton earthquake. The National Crisis Management Centre (NCMC) was activated in response to the Lyttelton quake event. The NCMC stood down at 7:00pm on Friday 23 December 2011.

Nelson Flooding