Batten down the hatches

**robertydog** · 26th July 2008, 14:32

We got rain down here. And its bloody cold.No wind yet.

**portokiwi** · 26th July 2008, 14:41

Winds from a sub-tropical storm buffeting the North Island have gusted to hurricane force, knocking down powerlines and prompting warnings for people to stay inside.

A top wind speed of 167km/h was recorded in the Bay of Islands about midday today with gusts in Auckland Harbour reaching 125km/h.
Aucklanders need to brace themselves for a violent 12 hours with winds strong enough to blow down trees, lift roofs and break windows," he said

**Big Dan** · 26th July 2008, 14:43

Originally Posted by portokiwi

Winds from a sub-tropical storm buffeting the North Island have gusted to hurricane force, knocking down powerlines and prompting warnings for people to stay inside.

A top wind speed of 167km/h was recorded in the Bay of Islands about midday today with gusts in Auckland Harbour reaching 125km/h.
Aucklanders need to brace themselves for a violent 12 hours with winds strong enough to blow down trees, lift roofs and break windows," he said

what was your source for this?

**White trash** · 26th July 2008, 14:46

Fucken pussys.

I've been waiting for this "sub tropical storm" and is all we've got is a bit of a brease and some rain. Just like any mid winters weekend in Wellington to be honest.

**portokiwi** · 26th July 2008, 14:47

on line on NZ Herald, Just went out and got some more candles (Just in case)

**White trash** · 26th July 2008, 14:49

Actually, just went outside and that wind is a bit stronger than usual. God I love wood burners.

**Maha** · 26th July 2008, 14:50

Originally Posted by MadDuck

I am on the eastern side of the Coast and we are getting hammered.
...I now have a lot more light in my lounge as the pohutakawa tree next to me has snapped (yay legal firewood) and the pergola roof went for a wee fly up the back yard.

Damn Westpac chopper was up before so if they can cope it cant be that bad...just feels like it.

Ooooooo party at yours??.... be there in a tick!

**Big Dan** · 26th July 2008, 14:51

Originally Posted by White trash

Fucken pussys.

I've been waiting for this "sub tropical storm" and is all we've got is a bit of a brease and some rain. Just like any mid winters weekend in Wellington to be honest.

there is always a kill joy among the group

**MadDuck** · 26th July 2008, 14:52

Originally Posted by Maha

Ooooooo party at yours??.... be there in a tick!

LMFAO...yeah no problems getting up the driveway....just wait for the next big gust to blow you up

**Maha** · 26th July 2008, 14:58

Originally Posted by MadDuck

LMFAO...yeah no problems getting up the driveway....just wait for the next big gust to blow you up

The ole' Suicide driveway!!!
Would just as hard getting down it today yes???

**Blackbird** · 26th July 2008, 14:58

We've just had a 20 minute outage on power and phones so it could be a long night. Getting worried about the 2 1/2 hour drive to Auckland airport tomorrow. Hope the trees on the coast road are ok and that the road is still in one piece!

**Meekey_Mouse** · 26th July 2008, 15:02

Still not really feeling it here in Taupo, but some mates up are the mountain, have been waiting for 3 hours to try and get down. The people who run the mountain operations are going to make a call whether to lock the roads down at 3pm... Still quite a few people stuck up there by the sounds of it

**Rback** · 26th July 2008, 15:03

Never seen wind like it up here. Went outside to check the pond growing into a small dam at the bottom of my yard and the wind nearly blew me off my feet. Fire brigade are running around the area cutting trees etc that have fallen on houses and roads. Great day to service the bike me thinks

**DMNTD:Me** · 26th July 2008, 15:05

Originally Posted by Blackbird

We've just had a 20 minute outage on power and phones so it could be a long night. Getting worried about the 2 1/2 hour drive to Auckland airport tomorrow. Hope the trees on the coast road are ok and that the road is still in one piece!

LOL...

New Zealand Police Alert 1:55pm 26 Jul 2008 Waitemata Location of incident: Whangaparaoa Incident type: False Evacuation Report ***Urgent Media Release***There have been reports in the Media about the evacuation of Whangaparaoa.There is NO Evacuation of Whanagaparaoa.Media organisations should confirm such reports with Police or Civil Defence before making broadcasts or reports. Issued By: Inspector Earle McIntosh

**MadDuck** · 26th July 2008, 15:10

Originally Posted by DMNTD

New Zealand Police Alert 1:55pm 26 Jul 2008 Waitemata Location of incident: Whangaparaoa Incident type: False Evacuation Report ***Urgent Media Release***There have been reports in the Media about the evacuation of Whangaparaoa.There is NO Evacuation of Whanagaparaoa.Media organisations should confirm such reports with Police or Civil Defence before making broadcasts or reports. Issued By: Inspector Earle McIntosh

Damn no one told me of an evacuation. Maybe they wanted me to stay