Storm wreaks havoc over South Island 19th June 2015

[JennyLeez]

Residents in the South Island can breathe a sigh of relief today as the winter storm wreaking havoc in the region moves north.

The storm brought snow and heavy rain to much of the South Island last night, leaving three trampers trapped on a Canterbury mountain range and causing severe flooding in Hokitika which forced 20 rest home residents from their beds.

Power is out for thousands in Canterbury and forced school closures, as well as closing three of the South Island's major passes - Arthurs, Lewis and Lindis.

Thousands of Canterbury homes are still in the dark this morning after the heavy, wet snow affected lines and Orion teams are frantically working on the outage.

But meteorologists say the weather pattern will be moving north today, so residents from the Nelson ranges through to Taranaki and Gisborne should be ready to batten down the hatches.

More............
NZ Herald
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11467846

and here:
3news
http://www.3news.co.nz/nznews/thousands-lose-power-in-canterbury-snow-2015061911#axzz3dSvDLq4Q

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