Weather: What you need to know about road closures, flights, ferries, schools and evacuations

• A state of emergency has been declared for Christchurch and Banks Peninsula, and the Selwyn district in Canterbury.
• Wellington is under a red wind warning until 3am Friday with MetService warning of a threat to life from flying items and falling trees.
• MetService's heavy rain warning and watches remain in place for Gisborne, the Eastern Bay of Plenty, Kaikōura and Canterbury, including Christchurch and Banks Peninsula.
• Power has been cut to thousands of properties across Wellington, Wairarapa and Manawatū.
• Air New Zealand and Jetstar have cancelled flights in and out of Wellington.
• Cook Strait ferry sailings have been cancelled until at least Friday afternoon.
• Strong wind warnings are in place for coastal areas of Wairarapa and coastal Marlborough south of Blenheim including the Kaikōura Coast.
• Strong wind watches are in place in inland areas of Wairarapa, the Tararua District and Hawke's Bay south of Hastings, Horowhenua, Kāpiti Coast.
• A road snowfall warning is in place for Lewis Pass (SH7), Lindis Pass (SH8), Arthur's Pass and Porters Pass on State Highway 73.

Wellington's red wind warning - How to stay safe

The MetService warning for Wellington City, Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt and Porirua is in place until 3am on Friday.

"We are advising people to stay indoors where possible and avoid unnecessary travel. If you need to travel this afternoon or evening, plan ahead as strong winds can make driving hazardous,"Wellington Region Emergency Management spokesperson Dan Neely said.

Wellington City Council is advising South Coast residents and particularly those in Ōwhiro Bay to consider staying somewhere else tonight if possible.

An Emergency Assistance Centre is open at Ōwhiro Bay School for anyone who needs it, it said.

During strong winds, people should:

• Stay away from windows and doors. Shelter in the middle of the house preferably in an internal room such as a bathroom.
• Do not walk around outside or drive unless absolutely necessary.
• Bring pets indoors and move stock to shelter.
• Listen to your local radio station for information.
• Power cuts are possible in severe weather. Unplug small appliances which may be affected by electrical power surges. If power is lost unplug major appliances to reduce the power surge and possible damage when power is restored.
• If you, your family and/or your property are at risk, immediately contact emergency services on 111

Road Closures

The highways closed across the country due to slips and flooding:

• SH1 Kaitaia to Okaihau (Mangamuka Gorge).
• SH25 Tapu to Ruamahunga.
• SH75 Birdlings Flat to Little River

The New Zealand Transport Agency has also marked Auckland Harbour Bridge as a road hazard and has asked drivers to take extra care.

They said temporary lane reductions were possible and for drivers to expect delays.

The Christchurch City Council has reported several roads closures within the region:

• Fitzgerald Avenue between Kilmore Street and Cambridge Terrace.
• Cambridge Terrace from Barbadoes Street to Churchill Street.
• New Brighton Road between Rawson Street and Pages Road.
• Avonside Drive between Wainoni Road and Kerrs Road.
• Avonside Drive/Swanns Road between Retreat Road and Woodham Road.
• Empire Road from Main North Road.
• River Road.
• Ernlea Terrace closed at Colombo Street.
• Hunter Terrace.
• Riverlaw Terrace.
• Clarendon Terrace.
• Richardson Terrace.
• Eastern Terrace.

Banks Peninsula is also riddled with road closures:

• SH75 from Tai Tapu to Akaroa.
• Gebbies Pass Road from SH75 to Charteris Bay Road.
• Kinloch Road from Okuiti Valley Road to Bossu Road.
• Reynolds Valley Road from Okuiti Valley Road to Bossy Road.
• Governors Bay Teddington Road from Gebbies Pass Road to Bamfords Road.
• Bossy Road from #220 to Lands End Road.
• Port Levy Pigeon Bay Road from Pa Road to Little Pigeon Road.
• Stony Bay Rd is closed from the first cattle stop.

Roads have also been closed in the Wellington region:

• Port Road is closed due to high tide and safety concerns.
• Mahina Drive is closed from 6pm on Thursday until about 10pm where Howard Road joins Marine Drive, and the Bus Stop at Wellesley School.
• Two north-bound lanes on Wainuiomata Hill have been closed after a slip.
• Marine Drive from Days Bay to Point Howard is closed from 6pm.
• Cape Palliser Road in Wairarapa is closed due to flooding.
• Ōwhiro Bay Road to the west of Happy Valley Road is closed from 5.30pm.

Evacuations - Selwyn District

Selwyn residents have been forced to evacuate after a state of emergency was declared on Thursday morning.

Mayor Sam Broughton said emergency services and Civil Defence volunteers were working to help people evacuate at Selwyn Huts because of rising river levels.

Upper Selwyn Huts resident Keith Morrison said people were knocking on doors telling residents to evacuate.

Some are in denial about the effects of climate change on the community, but recent weather drives home the reality, Morrison said.

"It's as bad as I've ever seen it. The roads are the worst I've seen it," he said.

"But around the houses it's all ponding, so it's as bad as it gets.

"It's a long story, but we're planning for climate change adaptation and eventually over the next few decades needing to relocate, so this is just another prompt - that's how I see it. It might actually help the community to realise it's real because a lot of people are still in denial about it."

It seemed the river topped the stop bank every year now, Morrison said.

Ferry Cancellations

• Interislander has cancelled sailings through to at least Friday afternoon.
• Bluebridge has cancelled all sailings through to Saturday morning.

Cook Strait ferry crossings have been cancelled through to at least Friday afternoon because of the high swells in the Strait.

MetService said the southerly swells would reach about five metres on Thursday.

Interislander has cancelled sailings through until 4pm on Friday between Wellington and Picton and 8.50pm between Picton and Wellington.

"All impacted passengers are being contacted directly and we are putting on additional return sailings on Saturday evening and Sunday morning to accommodate impacted customers," Interislander said.

"We are monitoring the forecasts closely and will advise if further cancellations are required."

Bluebridge has cancelled all sailings through to Saturday morning.

"All customers affected by these cancellations have been advised by email and text.

"We are monitoring the situation closely and if further sailings are impacted, we will notify you via text and email at the earliest opportunity," Bluebridge said.

"Additional sailings have been added to our schedule on Saturday to accommodate our affected customers: 1:30pm from Wellington and 7:15pm from Picton."

Flight cancellations

Wellington Airport says all flights have been cancelled for the rest of the day due to high winds.

A spokesperson said there was one exception, with one Qantas flight from Sydney, arriving around midnight, possibly still going ahead.

Earlier in the day, Air New Zealand chief operating officer Alex Marren said current conditions were expected to continue impacting their network throughout the day.

"We encourage customers travelling to check the Air New Zealand app or the arrivals and departures page on our website for the latest updates.

"As the wind is likely to continue throughout the day, we're offering flexibility for those with travel to and from Wellington."

He said customers were encouraged to self-serve and change or defer their travel plans where possible.

RNZ is New Zealand's statutory civil defence lifeline radio broadcaster, providing vital information and updates as they come to hand.

Have you been affected? Share your stories and pictures with us at: iwitness@rnz.co.nz

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