SIMON O'CONNOR/Fairfax NZ
Strong winds are whipping up the waves off the coast of New Plymouth
Taranaki fire crews were called out to about 30 weather-related jobs overnight, damage which has left thousands in the region without power or water.
Gusts of wind and torrential rain caused havoc, knocking down trees, downing power lines and damaging property, with South Taranaki being particularly hard hit.
As a result, power is still cut to thousands of homes in Taranaki and the water supply in Opunake and Manaia has also been affected.
SIMON O'CONNOR/Fairfax NZ
The Wind Wand in New Plymouth bends under strong winds.
A severe weather warning released from MetService forecasted strong winds and heavy rainfall from Monday to midday Tuesday for most of the North Island.
About 2300 properties in Urenui, Hawera, Eltham, Manaia, Stratford, Okato, Kaponga and Opunake were all without power as of 7am on Tuesday.
It is estimated the power will be restored by 10am.
A central fire communications spokesman said about 20 calls had been lodged with emergency services during the night, most of which related to the bad weather.
He said the service had also received reports from residents in Manaia, Opunake and Pihama that they had no water.
On Monday night, senior fire officer Bernie Rush said all brigades, apart from Hawera, were out battling "torrential rains" and high wind speeds.
"The winds completely demolished a garage out there," he said.
"The guys are going from one call to another."
Meteorologist April Clark said Mt Taranaki could expect up to 150 millimetres of rainfall between Monday evening until midday Tuesday.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/86457077/severe-weather-knocks-out-power-to-thousands-of-taranaki-homes
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