Update: Recovery and repair works to continue over the weekend
Published on 01 May 2025
Final update, 4.10PM
Friday, 2 May
Blue Mountains Road now clear, more work scheduled for Saturday, 3 May 2025
Most urgent clean-ups and infrastructure repairs on Blue Mountains Road have been completed, and stop/go traffic management is no longer in place.
More repair works are scheduled for Saturday, 3 May 2025. Stop/go will be back in place for that final stage of repair works.
If you are travelling in the area in the weekend, please plan ahead and be prepared for delays along the route.
Thank you for your patience and putting safety first
We’ll continue to monitor the weather, hazards, and the impact of Thursday’s storm on our roads and public spaces over the weekend.
On-call staff are standing by, ready to respond to urgent calls. If you are out and about, stay clear of any storm damage you encounter and report hazards to Council on 04 527 2169.
Updated 2.55PM
Friday, 2 May
Clearance works and storm recovery progressing at pace
Work to clear debris, downed branches and trees across Upper Hutt is ongoing.
We thank our community for following official advice, putting safety first, and continuing to report hazards and storm damage on public land to Council on 04 527 2169.
Blue Mountains Road: stop/go remains in place for now
Repair and clearance works on Blue Mountains Road are progressing well.
We understand that extended travel times can be a nuisance, and thank all road users for their patience while traffic management is in place in that area. Our focus is on ensuring that the necessary repairs can be completed as safely and quickly as possible.
Safety reminder: weather conditions
Rainy conditions have continued throughout the day. Please stay alert, travel to the road conditions, and be prepared for unexpected impacts on your journey – recovery work is taking place across the wider Wellington region.
Updated 11.15AM
Friday, 2 May
Orange Weather Warning lifted as clearance works continue
While the weather eases, MetService has lifted the Orange Weather Warning for Upper Hutt as at 10.30AM.
Please take care while travelling, drive to conditions, and be prepared for unexpected debris and storm damage on roads.
Blue Mountains Road: stop/go traffic still in place
Work to clear debris and complete repairs on Blue Mountains Road continues. Prepare for delays and avoid travelling through the area if possible.
Storm recovery and clean-up
Clearing hazards and coordinating a safe storm recovery is our priority.
We are aware there are lots of debris, fallen tree branches, and other storm damage around the city. Our staff continue to inspect roads, parks, and public spaces in response to yesterday’s weather event.
Be safe, stay clear of storm damage, and report urgent hazards on roads and public land by calling Council on 04 527 2169.
If your property has been damaged, please contact your insurance company.
For emergencies, call 111.
Thank you for putting safety first and reporting hazards to Council so we can continue our storm recovery work safely and effectively.
Updated 8.45AM
Friday, 2 May
Blue Mountains Road – Clearance Works and Stop/Go Traffic
There are urgent repair works and debris clearance under way on Blue Mountains Road.
There is stop/go traffic management in place to ensure safety during the works – expect delays and please avoid the area if possible.
We expect the works to take at least 4 hours and will provide updates as work progresses.
Thank you for your patience and please continue to exercise caution while travelling across Upper Hutt and the wider region today.
Updated 7.30AM
Friday, 2 May
The Orange Weather Warnings are still in effect for Upper Hutt as of 3AM this morning. The severe wind and rain have eased, but we are now moving into the clean-up and recovery phase.
What this means for our Upper Hutt residents:
- The worst of the weather is over, and conditions have stabilised. Thank you for following safety advice and looking out for one another.
- Council teams are out assessing damage and clearing fallen trees, debris, and hazards in public spaces and roads. Please keep clear of these areas as your safety continues to be our priority.
- Please continue to be cautious around trees, parks, and waterways and watch for loose debris on roads and footpaths.
- Now is a great time to check on neighbours, especially those who are elderly, live alone, or may need extra help.
WREMO continues to advise people to avoid travel unless absolutely necessary due to debris and ongoing safety risks.
If you're using public transport, allow extra time for your journey and check Metlink for service updates.
To report hazards on public lands, please ring Council on 04 527 2169
For life-threatening emergencies, please call 111
For updates on power outages,check Wellington Electricity’s outages map
If your property has been damaged, please contact your insurance provider.
Thank you again to our community for your cooperation and care. We will continue to provide updates on our website and social media as clean-up progresses.
Updated 6.30AM
Friday, 2 May
Upper Hutt remains under Orange Strong Wind and Heavy Rain Warnings. Winds have eased slightly overnight, but conditions remain unsettled. No new major incidents have been reported at this stage.
We’re aware that parts of Blue Mountain Road and Whiteman Valley Road have been without power for over six hours. We understand this is frustrating. Wellington Electricity is working to restore power as quickly and safely as possible. You can find real-time updates at Wellington Electricity's website.
WREMO continues to advise people to avoid travel unless absolutely necessary due to debris and ongoing safety risks.
If you're using public transport, allow extra time for your journey and check Metlink for service updates.
Please take care on the roads, watch for debris or fallen branches, and report urgent public hazards (e.g. flooding, fallen trees) to Council on 04 527 2169. For all other enquiries, please email askus@uhcc.govt.nz to help keep our phone lines clear.
For emergencies, call 111.
Updated 11PM
The Orange Wind Warning is still in place for the Wellington Region, including Upper Hutt.
This means strong winds are still expected, with potential for fallen trees, power outages, and travel disruptions. Please take extra care and secure loose outdoor items.
Power outages update: new outage in Trentham
Power has been restored to most areas in Silverstream, Heretaunga, and Trentham.
However, a new outage is affecting a small number of households in Trentham. Wellington Electricity is working to restore power safely.
Check live outage updates on Wellington Electricity’s outages map
Safety alerts around Upper Hutt
Additional fallen branches and debris are being assessed around the city. Parks and reserves may have tree hazards — please stay clear until inspections are complete.
No major road blockages have been reported as of this time.
Public transport
No new disruptions have been reported on Metlink services since 8:00 PM.
Check the latest service alerts from Metlink
Safety reminders
- Avoid non-essential travel, especially on exposed roads.
- If you commute out of Upper Hutt, plan ahead for possible delays or disruptions tomorrow morning.
- Treat all downed powerlines as live. Stay well clear.
- Use torches instead of candles during outages.
- Turn off appliances at the wall to prevent power surge damage.
- Check on neighbours, particularly those with medical needs or who may require assistance.
Report hazards on public land to Upper Hutt City Council: 04 527 2169
For life-threatening emergencies, always call 111
We appreciate your patience and care during this weather event.
The next update will be at 6.30AM on Friday, 2 May.
Updated 8.45PM
Weather warning update – wind warning downgraded
MetService has downgraded the Red Wind Warning for the Wellington region to an Orange Wind Warning as conditions begin to ease.
However, strong winds are still expected, and safety remains a priority.
What this means for Upper Hutt:
- Winds may still cause damage to trees, powerlines, and loose structures.
- Travel may still be hazardous, particularly for high-sided vehicles and on exposed roads.
Please continue to take care:
- Stay away from downed trees and powerlines.
- Secure outdoor items if not already done.
- Avoid parks, reserves, and forested areas where branches may still fall.
- Use torches instead of candles if the power is out.
- Check in on neighbours, especially the elderly or vulnerable
For power outage updates, visit: Wellington Electricity’s outages map
Report hazards on public land to Upper Hutt City Council: 04 527 2169
For life-threatening emergencies, always call 111
We appreciate your patience and care during this weather event. We’ll continue to provide updates as conditions change.
Updated 7.57PM
Power outage alert: Silverstream, Trentham, and Heretaunga
Wellington Electricity is responding to an unplanned power outage currently affecting about 636 households in Silverstream, Trentham, and Heretaunga.
Crews are on-site and working to restore power as quickly and safely as possible. Please visit Wellington Electricity’s outages map for real-time updates.
Please take care and exercise caution:
- Treat all power lines as live – stay well clear of any fallen lines or damaged equipment.
- Use torches instead of candles to avoid fire risk.
- Turn off appliances at the wall to prevent power surge damage.
- Check on neighbours, especially those who may need assistance or use medical equipment
The current Red Wind Warning and Orange Rain Warning are still in place so please stay indoor and avoid travel unless necessary.
To report fallen lines or safety concerns to Wellington Electricity: 0800 248 148
To report public hazards (e.g. fallen trees, blocked roads) to Upper Hutt City Council: 04 527 2169
For emergencies, dial 111
Thank you for your patience and stay safe. We’ll continue to provide updates as new information becomes available.
Updated 4.35PM
Safety alert: trees and powerlines
CHATSWORTH ROAD
A tree has fallen on powerlines. Our team is coordinating with the power company and a tree maintenance contractor to manage the situation safely. Please stay clear of the area and do not approach downed powerlines as they may still be live and extremely dangerous.
OTHER AREAS IN UPPER HUTT
A few additional trees have come down around the city. These are currently being assessed. If any pose a risk to roads or public access, our team will be advised and respond accordingly.
PARKS
Some trees and branches have fallen in our local parks. At this stage, there is no immediate danger to the public but please be cautious when moving through park areas and avoid any debris. Do stay indoor and avoid travel unless necessary.
Resolved: fallen street light on Louis Street
The damaged street light has been safely removed and the area made safe.
We’ll continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as needed. We appreciate your cooperation as crews work to respond to weather-related issues across the city. Stay safe and follow official updates here.
To report hazards on public roads, parks, or footpaths, please call Council on 04 527 2169.
To report damages to your private property, please ring your insurance provider.
To keep up-to-date with power outrage, visit Wellington Electricity Outages.
For emergencies or life-threatening situations, call 111 immediately.
Updated 2.53PM
Safety alert: fallen street light on Louis Street
A street light has fallen on Louis Street.
Power crews have been notified and our team is responding.
Please avoid the area for your safety. Stay well clear of any downed lines and cables – they may still be live.
Power outages may affect surrounding streets. For updates, visit Wellington Electricity Outages.
If you see further hazards, call Council on 04 527 2169 or report to 111 if it's an emergency.
We’ll update this notice as more information becomes available. Thank you for your patience and cooperation.
Resolved: power outages in Upper Hutt
We have reports that the power outage reported in Upper Hutt in these affected areas (Judgeford, Moonshine and Trentham) have been resolved.
Updated: 1.25PM
Safety alert: debris on Akatarawa Road
There are now reports of tree debris and fallen branches present on Akatarawa Road.
Please remember to drive safely and avoid unnecessary travel.
Power outage alert: Judgeford, Moonshine and Trentham
We have power outage reported in Upper Hutt. The areas affected are in Judgeford, Moonshine and Trentham.
Below are the streets affected:
Ahoroa Road, Judgeford
Bulls Run Road, Moonshine Valley
Harris Road, Judgeford
Haywards Hill Road, Haywards
Moon Ridge Road, Moonshine Valley
Moonshine Hill Road, Moonshine Valley
Moonshine Road, Judgeford
Moonshine Road, Trentham
Mt Cecil Road, Judgeford
Mt Cecil Road, Moonshine Valley
Paremata Haywards Road, Judgeford
State Highway 58, Haywards
See information from Wellington Electricity.
As at 12.06PM
1 May 2025
MetService has issued a Red Wind Warning and an Orange Rain Warning for Upper Hutt City, effective until 3:00 AM NZST on Friday, May 2, 2025.
This warning indicates severe gale southwesterlies with damaging gusts up to 140 km/h, especially about the south coast and exposed hilltops.
The cities most impacted are Wellington City, Hutt City and Wairarapa.
Whilst we may see the Remutaka Hill Road impacted by the winds, the main impacts to Upper Hutt residents will be potential wind damage or issues with commuting.
Our Council teams are out and about assessing any impacts to Council assets and minimising any health and safety impacts to our city.
At present there are minimal impacts from the weather, limited some surface flooding, and no slips have been reported.
A Red Warning is the highest level of weather alert issued by MetService, indicating that the expected weather event is likely to be among the most severe, with significant impacts and potential for widespread disruption. Immediate action is required to protect people, animals, and property.
Summary of health and safety advice
- Stay indoors and away from windows.
- Secure outdoor items that could become airborne.
- Avoid sheltering under trees due to the risk of falling branches.
- Postpone non-essential travel.
- If travel is necessary, exercise extreme caution, especially in high-sided vehicles.
- Prepare for power outages.
- Charge mobile devices and have torches ready.
- Keep emergency supplies accessible, including food, water, and medications.
- Check on your neightbours.
To report hazards or fallen objects on public access: ring Council 04-527 2169
To report damages to your private property: ring Fire Emergency Service and your insurance provider.
To keep up-to-date with power outrage: click here for information from Wellington Electricity
If you are new to Upper Hutt and living rurally, please ring Council on 04-527 2169 to be added to our rural text alert.
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