500 lightning strikes hit Rotorua and cut power to 1400 homes

A storm lasting just over an hour that saw 500 bolts of lightning and crashing thunder cut power to more than 1400 homes in Rotorua today.

But the exact amount of rain that fell isn't known because a lightning bolt struck the city's rainfall gauge at the Rotorua Airport.

The storm, which had earlier in the morning wrecked havoc in the Auckland and Waikato regions, struck Rotorua about 9.30am and was all over by 11am.

The lightning caused power outages to 1448 customers around the Ngongotahā, Fairy Springs, Mamaku and Hamurana areas, near Rotorua.

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