High Winds Down Trees, Close SH57 and Cause Power Outages

A section of State Highway 57 is closed following severe winds that downed trees and power lines in the Horowhenua region overnight. The strong winds have led to widespread power outages affecting hundreds of homes, particularly in Horowhenua and Palmerston North. As a result, the highway was closed at 21:00 on March 4, 2024, between Tane Rd and Foxton-Shannon Rd/Sheehan St. Authorities have indicated that the closure will remain in effect until further notice.

Residents of Foxton are facing additional challenges as the Horowhenua District Council has urged them to conserve water due to the ongoing power outage. Council officials are working to activate a backup generator at the Foxton Water Treatment Plant to restore water services.

Emergency services have reported multiple incidents related to the high winds. A spokesperson for Fire and Emergency NZ stated that the organization received numerous call-outs on the night of March 4 and into the early hours of March 5. The areas impacted include Tokomaru, Shannon, Hokowhitu, Awapuni, and Marton.

In a separate incident, police responded to a truck crash that occurred between Plimmer Tce and Otauru Rd, also near Shannon. The truck, empty at the time, rolled over around 09:15 on March 5. Fortunately, the driver was uninjured. A police spokesperson confirmed that contractors have been dispatched to the scene, and the road will be closed for an extended period.

In addition to power outages, some cell tower disruptions have also been reported, affecting communication services in the region. Local authorities are working diligently to address these issues and restore normalcy as quickly as possible.