22/10/2025
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Latest Update: 8:34 pm Thursday, 23 October
Great news to finish off the night, all weather warnings for our region have been LIFTED. We want to thank people for planning ahead, working from home and avoiding unnecessary travel. This really helps limit the human impact that events like this can have.
- More bad weather is on its way next week, with heavy rain expected for Monday. Check https://www.metservice.com for the latest information.
- Some effects of the weather are still being felt, take extra care when driving as there may be debris on the roads.
- If you have lost power:
🔺Treat all fallen power lines as live.
🔺If the power goes off at your property, turn off all appliances including cookers and heaters so that when power comes back on there will be no risk from unattended cooking, items left close to heaters etc.
🔺Use torches rather than candles if possible. If you must use candles, keep them away from curtains and other flammable objects. Never leave a candle burning in an empty room.
🔺If you are using camp cookers or alternative forms of heating, always make sure they are on a stable surface. Do not use outdoor cooking or heating equipment inside.
More information and advice is available on your electricity company's website:
https://www.welectricity.co.nz/outages
https://outages.powerco.co.nz/
https://electra.co.nz/outages/
Take care everyone,
- WREMO Duty Team
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Update: 6.28 Thursday, 23 October
We’re winding down our emergency response for this event. Here are some key updates:
⚠️We have moved from 🔴RED wind warning to 🟠ORANGE.
🚗 State Highway 2 at Remutaka Hill, and between Mount Bruce and Eketahuna have reopened.
And some reminders:
💨Strong wind warnings are still in place across the region.
🌧️ Heavy rain warning still in place for The Tararua Range.
🌊 Heavy swell warnings still in place for Kapiti-Porirua Coast - Otaki to Cape Terawhiti.
🔺Avoid unnecessary travel.
🔺There is a TOTAL FIRE BAN in the region and the use of FIREWORKS ARE ALSO BANNED.
🔺Be prepared for power outages. If you rely on electricity for a medical device, reach out to your healthcare and electricity provider and arrange a back-up power supply or contingency plan.
🔺When indoors during strong winds, stay away from windows and doors.
🔺Check on your neighbours, friends and whānau.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
🚂RAIL:
- All trains in the Wellington region have been cancelled today.
- Bus replacements are in effect for Kāpiti and Hutt Valley Lines
- All train lines are currently planned to open for Friday morning and scheduled services to run. Passengers can stay up to date with the latest information on the Metlink website and app.
🚌BUS:
- All route 200 and 204 bus services in Wairarapa are cancelled for the day.
- Bus operators will be using single decker buses where possible as a precaution. This may result in some bus service cancellations.
🚢Harbour ferry:
- All East by West ferry services are cancelled for the day.
Check the Metlink website and app before you travel: metlink.org.nz
PLEASE TAKE EXTREME CARE WHILE DRIVING
🟢State Highway 58 has reopened in Whitby following its weather closure earlier today.
🟢State Highway 2 Remutaka Hill has reopened.
🟢 In northern Wairarapa, State Highway 2 between Mount Bruce and Eketahuna has reopened.
🟢Wainuiomata Hill Road has reopened. Conditions are still marginal but easing enough to be safe.
🟢Highway 53 has reopened.
PREPARING FOR POWER OUTAGES
🔺Treat all fallen power lines as live.
🔺If the power goes off at your property, turn off all appliances including cookers and heaters so that when power comes back on there will be no risk from unattended cooking, items left close to heaters etc.
🔺Use torches rather than candles if possible. If you must use candles, keep them away from curtains and other flammable objects. Never leave a candle burning in an empty room.
🔺If you are using camp cookers or alternative forms of heating, always make sure they are on a stable surface. Do not use outdoor cooking or heating equipment inside.
Stay safe and warm e te whānau!
WREMO Duty team
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Latest Update: 6:17, Thursday, 23 October
⚠️ We have moved from 🔴RED to 🟠ORANGE.
💨 Strong wind warning are still in place across the region
🌧️ Heavy rain warning still in place for The Tararua Range
🌊 Heavy swell warnings still in place for Kapiti-Porirua Coast - Otaki to Cape Terawhiti
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Update: 5:00pm, Thursday, 23 October
COMMUNITY EMERGENCY HUB
🟢 Wainuiomata Hub is now closed.
All other messaging remains the same as our 4:26 update.
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Update: 4:26pm, Thursday, 23 October
Some exposed areas are experiencing 160km/h gusts. Please see below for information on how to be prepared.
🔺 Avoid unnecessary travel.
🔺 There is a TOTAL FIRE BAN in the region and the use of Fireworks is also banned.
🔺 Be prepared for power outages. If you rely on electricity for a medical device, reach out to your healthcare and electricity provider and arrange a back-up power supply or contingency plan.
🔺 When indoors during strong winds, stay away from windows and doors.
🔺Check on your neighbours, friends and whānau.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
🚂 RAIL:
- All trains in the Wellington region have been cancelled today.
- Bus replacements are in effect for Kāpiti and Hutt Valley Lines
🚌 BUS:
- All route 200 and 204 bus services in Wairarapa are cancelled for the day.
- Bus operators will be using single decker buses where possible as a precaution. This may result in some bus service cancellations.
🚢 Harbour ferry:
- All East by West ferry services are cancelled for the day.
Check the Metlink website and app before you travel: www.metlink.org.nz
ROAD CLOSURES
🟢 State Highway 58 has reopened in Whitby following its weather closure earlier today.
🔺 State Highway 2 Remutaka Hill remains closed due to high winds and its status is being monitored. The route will be reopened when it is safe to do so.
🔺In northern Wairarapa, State Highway 2 is now CLOSED between Mount Bruce and Eketahuna due to strong winds. It will remain closed until it is safe to reopen
🟢 Wainuiomata Hill Road has reopened. Conditions are still marginal but easing enough to be safe. Please take extreme care while driving!
🟢 State Highway 53 has reopened
PREPARING FOR POWER OUTAGES
🔺Treat all fallen power lines as live.
🔺 If the power goes off at your property, turn off all appliances including cookers and heaters so that when power comes back on there will be no risk from unattended cooking, items left close to heaters etc.
🔺 Use torches rather than candles if possible. If you must use candles, keep them away from curtains and other flammable objects. Never leave a candle burning in an empty room.
🔺 If you are using camp cookers or alternative forms of heating, always make sure they are on a stable surface. Do not use outdoor cooking or heating equipment inside.
COMMUNITY EMERGENCY HUB
🟢 Wainuiomata Hub is now open for people needing emergency shelter, information, or a cup of tea. It will be open until 5pm.
We will be updating this post this evening. Stay safe and warm e te whānau!
Take care,
WREMO Duty team
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Update: 3.40pm, Thursday, 23 October
The most severe weather is expected from 11am to 2pm today. Some exposed areas are experiencing 160km/h gusts. Please see below for information on how to be prepared.
🔺 Avoid unnecessary travel.
🔺 There is a TOTAL FIRE BAN in the region and the use of Fireworks is also banned.
🔺 All trains in the Wellington region have been cancelled until 6pm today. Check www.metlink.org.nz/
🔺 Be prepared for power outages. If you rely on electricity for a medical device, reach out to your healthcare and electricity provider and arrange a back-up power supply or contingency plan.
🔺 When indoors during strong winds, stay away from windows and doors.
🔺Check on your neighbours, friends and whānau.
ROAD CLOSURES
🔺 Remutaka Hill is closed as at 11am Thursday
🟢 Wainuiomata Hill Road has reopened. Conditions are still marginal but easing enough to be safe. Please take extreme care while driving!
🔺 State Highway 58 closed due to flooding
🟢 State Highway 53 has reopened
🔺 State Highway 2 has now CLOSED between Kiriwhakapapa Rd and Jones St
PREPARING FOR POWER OUTAGES
🔺Treat all fallen power lines as live.
🔺 If the power goes off at your property, turn off all appliances including cookers and heaters so that when power comes back on there will be no risk from unattended cooking, items left close to heaters etc.
🔺 Use torches rather than candles if possible. If you must use candles, keep them away from curtains and other flammable objects. Never leave a candle burning in an empty room.
🔺 If you are using camp cookers or alternative forms of heating, always make sure they are on a stable surface. Do not use outdoor cooking or heating equipment inside.
COMMUNITY EMERGENCY HUB
🟢 Wainuiomata Hub is now open for people needing emergency shelter, information, or a cup of tea. It will be open until 5pm.
We will be updating this post throughout the day. Stay safe and warm e te whānau!
Take care,
WREMO Duty team
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UPDATE 9pm 22 Oct
All trains in the Wellington Region have been cancelled for Thursday 23 Oct, from 8am to 6pm. Please check https://www.metlink.org.nz/ for the latest information on public transport.
Updated Weather Information
💨STRONG WIND WARNING - RED - Wellington and Wairarapa south of Carterton.
7am to 7pm, Thursday, 23 October. Severe gales with damaging gusts of 140km/h in exposed places. Power outages have already been happening across the region and there may be more as severe weather picks up tomorrow (Thursday).
⛈️HEAVY RAIN WARNING - Orange - The Tararua Range.
10am to 8pm Thursday 23 Oct. Expect 80 to 120 mm of rain. Peak rates of 15 to 25 mm/h expected Thursday afternoon and evening. Thunderstorms are possible. Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible.
💨STRONG WIND WARNING - Orange - Kapiti Coast
9am - 7pm, Thursday 23 Oct. Severe gale northwesterlies gusting 120 km/h in exposed places.
💨STRONG WIND WARNING - Orange - Wairarapa about and north of Carterton.
10am Thursday 23 Oct - 3am Friday 24 Oct. Severe gale northwesterlies with damaging gusts of 130 km/h in exposed places.
HEAVY SWELLS - Otaki to Cape Terawhiti, with highest risk period between late Thursday morning to Thursday evening.
Please see MMMetService New Zealandor the latest updates.
Take care,
WREMO Duty Team
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Update: 4.35pm
Information for rough sleepers:
The Wellington City Missions, Whakamaru site will be open for people to take shelter in throughout the weather event.
Address: 4 Oxford Terrace, Mt Cook
Contact: 04 245 0900 or 0800 245 0900
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Mōrena koutou, we hope everyone is keeping well after the wild weather yesterday. Wellington, we have TODAY to get prepared for even more severe weather and strong winds tomorrow (Thursday 23 October).
What do we know? 🍃
- MetService has issued a Strong Wind Warning - Red Wellington and Wairarapa south of Carterton for Thursday, 23 October, 8am to 6pm
- Severe gales with damaging gusts of 140km/h in exposed places
- Power outages have already been happening across the region and there may be more as severe weather picks up tomorrow (Thursday)
- Heavy swells for Otaki to Cape Terawhiti, with highest risk period between late Thursday morning to Thursday evening
What should we do?🔦
- If you are able to, make preparations to work from home tomorrow. Avoid unnecessary travel. If you have to travel, please check your routes and public transport options beforehand. Be prepared for disruptions in transport. Take care when driving on the roads, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles
- Prepare your property and bring inside or secure items that can be picked up by strong winds e.g. trampolines, bins.
- Think about what you would do if there was no power and make a plan. If you rely on electricity for a medical device, reach out to your healthcare and electricity provider and arrange a back-up power supply or contingency plan
- Be cautious around coastal areas as some areas will be experiencing heavy swells
- Many schools will be closed tomorrow for the mega strike. Union organisers are being advised of how to keep strikers and protestors safe. Update: 1.24pm: NNNZEI Te Riu Roand PPPublic Service Associationave announced that the strikes are still on, but all rallies in Wellington have been cancelled. Please make sure you are aware of your children's schools and kura plans for tomorrow.
- Check on your neighbours, friends and whānau.
- When indoors during strong winds, it is important to stay away from windows and doors.
- Clear stormwater drains to help prevent surface flooding
- Create an evacuation plan and have a grab bag ready to go
- Make a plan for your pets and/or livestock
- Listen to the radio and follow WREMO on Facebook for latest updates
We will be updating this post as we get more updates. In the meantime:
- Visit wremo.nz for preparedness information and latest updates
- If you have been affected by a power outage or want to check on your area, more information and advice is available on your electricity company website:
https://www.welectricity.co.nz/outages
https://outages.powerco.co.nz/
https://electra.co.nz/outages/
- Check https://www.metservice.com/warnings/home for latest weather updates MMMetService New Zealand- Check https://www.metlink.org.nz/ for public transport updates and routes MMMetlink- Check https://www.mpi.govt.nz/animals/animal-welfare/animal-welfare-emergency-management/preparing-animals-for-emergencies for preparing animals and livestock for emergencies (see Comments for some tips!)
Take care,
WREMO team
