Waves up to 10 metres and surface flooding are causing road closures across Wellington and most flights in and out of the capital have been cancelled until further notice.
Motorists have been advised to delay travel or avoid travelling on Marine Drive in the Eastbourne area. Video footage shows large swells crashing across the road. Meanwhile, a Cook Strait Bluebridge ferry has been doing loops in Wellington harbour as it battles powerful winds.
A heavy swell warning is in place until Friday afternoon, with swells up to 7 metres predicted and one 10m wave recorded.
Hutt City Council said Marine Drive and Seaview Drive were closed at the Gracefield intersection and Port Rd was also closed.
A catamaran was washed into the road and seawall in Lowry Bay, near Eastbourne in Lower Hutt. Part of one of the hulls bike up and pieces of it were washed over the road.
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There was also surface flooding along Randwick Drive and Waiwhetu was facing surface flooding, the council said.
MetService meteorologist Luis Fernandes said a 10-metre wave was recorded at the Wellington harbour entrance just before 11am on Thursday and regular 6m waves were coming through.
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Large swells are causing issues for motorists in Mahina Bay, Lower Hutt.
It was predicted they could still get bigger, he said.
The highest gust of wind was at the top of Mt Kaukau, where a 122kph gust was recorded on Thursday morning, while Wellington Airport had a 113kph gust.
Wellington Harbourmaster Grant Nalder said a catamaran that had been moored in Lowry Bay, Lower Hutt had broken free and was washed against the seawall.
The mooring had been checked before the boat recently moored there.
It had previously been moored at Mana in Porirua, he said.
Robyn Flynn/Supplied
The road in York Bay, Eastbourne.
One hull was destroyed in the crash into the sea wall.
The owner had been working on the catamaran for a “number of years”, Nalder said. “It is going to be a heart break.”
A Bluebridge ferry that spent nearly four hours circling in Wellington harbour due to poor weather is now finally berthing.
Bluebridge ferry spokesperson Wendy Pannett said its sailings this afternoon had already been cancelled, but the morning sailing was due to leave for Piction at 8.15am.
The ferry was unable to leave the harbour as weather conditions deteriorated quickly and came in earlier than expected.
A passenger said everyone onboard seemed “okay” but some people had to cancel arrangements and bookings in the South Island.
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Two tug boats helped a Bluebridge ferry in Wellington berth, several hours after it circled the harbour.
Wellington Electricity has warned of power outages for 890 homes in Wainuiomata and Eastbourne in Hutt Valley. Power was expected to be back on about 3pm on Thursday.
Meanwhile, all flights in and out of Wellington Airport have been cancelled until further notice due to the weather conditions.
Airport spokesperson Phil Rennie said high winds were making it unsafe for baggage handlers to operate.
“Passengers are advised to check directly with their airlines for further information. We will provide regular updates as more information comes to hand.”
Wellington Airport’s arrivals and departures board is showing some Jetstar flights are still flying but most other flights have been cancelled.
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