Trees down, roads blocked, power cuts in BOP

Contractors clearning fallen trees on SH2 near Omokoroa. Photo: John Borren.

Within a 90 minute period on Sunday afternoon, the Western Bay of Plenty underwent a full blast of wind from ex-tropical Cyclone Dovi.

Trees came down and branches snapped off over roads and power lines. A boat came loose from its mooring in Pilot Bay and there are multiple power outages.

Between 2.30pm and 4pm, there were numerous reports of trees landing on roofs and roads, and power cuts from Paengaroa to Katikati.

Thousands of properties are without power on Sunday afternoon due to the strong winds, with estimated restoration times expected to be on Sunday evening.

A tree came down on a house in Waihi Road, Judea. Photo: Supplied.

A contractor clearing the road of debris on State Highway 2 near Whakamarama. Photo: John Borren.

Boat coming aground in Pilot Bay

The Chelsea Morning owners were alerted to their yacht nearly coming ashore in Pilot Bay on Sunday afternoon.

Strong westerly winds were increasing in intensity from midday and by 2pm had reached up to nearly 60 km per hour coming ashore in Pilot Bay.

The Chelsea Morning metres off the beach in Pilot Bay. Photo: Rosalie Liddle Crawford.

The Chelsea Morning being pounded by the strong westerly in Pilot Bay. Photo: Rosalie Liddle Crawford.

Debris at Mount Maunganui

Debris was scattered along The Mall in Pilot Bay as branches were snapped off Norfolk pines by the strong winds.

Norfolk pine debris in Pilot Bay. Photo: Rosalie Liddle Crawford.

Norfolk pine debris in Pilot Bay. Photo: Rosalie Liddle Crawford.

Norfolk pine debris in Pilot Bay. Photo: Rosalie Liddle Crawford.

A tree was damaged in Devonport Road during the afternoon's storm. Photo: Supplied.

A tree was damaged in Devonport Road during the afternoon's storm. Photo: Supplied.

Multiple power outages across Western Bay of Plenty

There are 37 properties without power in Waihi. The power cut happened at 4.11pm with power expected to be restored by 8.15pm. A site investigation is underway.

There are 226 Tauranga properties without power. The power cut happened at 4.38pm, with power expected to be restoredd by 8.45pm. A site investigation is underway.

There are 281 properties without power in Paengaroa. The power cut happened at 3.21pm due to a strong wind. Power is estimated to be restored by 9pm.

Contractors clearning fallen trees on SH2 near Omokoroa. Photo: John Borren.

In Te Puke, 194 properties are without power. The power cut occurred at 3.07pm due to strong wind. Power is estimated to be restored by 9pm.

A separate power outage happened in Te Puke at 2.13pm due to strong wind and affecting 238 properties. Power to these properties is estimated to be restored by 9pm.

A separate power outage in Te Puke is affecting 252 properties. The power cut occurred at 12.21pm due to strong wind. Power is estimated to be restored by 7pm.

In Pongakawa, 133 properties were affected by an outage at 12.19pm. A site investigation is underway and power is estimated to be restored by 4.30pm.

In Katikati, 2925 properties are without power on Sunday afternoon. The outage occurred at 1.37pm. A site investigation is underway and power is estimated to be restored by 5.45pm

At Tauriko, 490 properties had a power cut at 1.34pm. A site investigation is underway, with power estimated to be restored by 5.45pm.

In Aongatete, 659 properties are without power, following a power outage at 1.21pm, due to strong wind. Power is expected to be restored by 7pm.

In Te Puna, a power outage at 1.09pm due to strong wind has affected 322 properties. Power is estimated to be restored by 7pm to these properties.

There was a power cut to 402 properties in Te Puna at 2.43pm due to strong wind. Power is estimated to be restored by 9pm. Another 141 properties in Te Puna also had a power outage at 2.43pm and power is estimated to be restored there by 6.45pm. A site investigation is underway for this separate outage.

In Tahawai, Katikati, 81 properties are without power following an outage at 12.33pm due to strong wind. Power is estimated to be restored by 7pm.

On Matakana Island, a site investigation is underway following a power outage at 12.25pm that is affecting 91 properties. Power is estimated to be restored by 4.30pm.

In Oropi, 1002 properties are without power. The power cut occurred at 3.04pm due to strong wind. Power is estimated to be restored by 9pm.

A tree down in St Andrews Drive, Bethlehem. Photo: Marcus Grimmer.

Road blocks and closures

NZTA advise that due to a fallen tree blocking State Highway 2 in the Karangahake Gorge, there is temporary traffic control in place. Caution is advised through this route.

"We have reports of fallen trees blocking the road on SH2 between Paeroa to Waihi," says an NZTA spokesperson.
"Please take extra care and consider travelling only if essential."
There are several roads blocked due to fallen trees, slips and other hazards, which may cause delays to motorist's journeys.
Blocked roads include:
• SH1B Newstead - Fallen trees
• SH2 Paeroa to Waihi (Karangahake Gorge) - Fallen trees
• SH3 Te Kuiti to Eight Mile Junction - Fallen trees
• SH29 Tauranga to Te Poi (Kaimai Ranges) - Fallen trees
• SH30 Te Kuiti to Whakamaru - Dropout
Please check our interactive travel map for the latest updates on the status of state highways: journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic
A tree blocking a road in Matua on Sunday afternoon. Photo: Supplied.
Plastic wrapping was torn on top of a building in May Street, Mount Maunganui, with the loose plastic flapping loudly in the wind. Photo: Supplied.
Scaffolding on a building in Oceanbeach Road had its plastic wrapping torn. Photo: Caroline Sparks.
Polystyrene blocks were blown from a Katikati subdivision building site and into the Uretara Stream where they quickly started floating away towards Tauranga harbour as locals attempted to retrieve them. Photo: Kelli Hutchison.
Hannah Porter with her mother Debbie Porter collecting debris near Mount Drury after Cyclone Dovi had passed by to use for creative projects. Photo: Rosalie Liddle Crawford.

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