Red Wind and Orange Rain Warnings Issued for Upper Hutt
Published on 23 October 2025
Updated 10AM, 24 October 2025
Clean-up underway across Upper Hutt after severe winds
Following yesterday’s severe wind event, our Council crews and contractors have been out early this morning assessing and clearing debris across Upper Hutt.
Most roads are now clear and open, but the clean-up continues. Staff have been driving through the city to check for damage and hazards, including fallen trees, broken branches on berms, hanging debris, and a small number of downed power poles and lines.
Caption: Fallen tree at Hoggart Park
Caption: Fallen power pole and line at Beechwood Lane Bridge
Thank you to everyone for your patience while our teams worked hard to make our public spaces safe again.
We’ll continue monitoring areas over the coming days as strong gusts may still loosen branches or bring down debris.
If you see any hazards such as fallen trees, blocked drains, or damaged public property, please let us know by emailing askus@uhcc.govt.nz
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Updated 5.20PM, 23 October 2025
Our crews have been working throughout the day to respond to the impacts of today’s severe wind event, with multiple closures, debris, and power outages across Upper Hutt. Thank you to everyone for your patience and care as we continue recovery efforts.
Weather update
MetService has downgraded the wind warning for Upper Hutt to an Orange Strong Wind Warning. While conditions are improving, strong gusts may still occur. Please continue to take care outdoors, secure loose items, and avoid unnecessary travel.
Road and access updates
Flux Road remains closed to all traffic except residents while Fire and Emergency New Zealand responds to an incident in the area. Please avoid the road and follow directions from emergency services.
Beechwood Lane Bridge remains closed due to fallen trees and power lines. Please avoid this area and stay clear of the fallen power pole and lines. Crew is scheduled for the clean-up as soon as it is safe to do so.
Caption: Closure of Beechwood Lane Bridge due to fallen power pole and line
Hoggart Park is now closed due to fallen trees from today’s severe winds. The walking trail from the Scouts Association to Akatarawa Road is affected. Please avoid the area until crews can safely clear the debris.
Caption: Map showing walking trail that is closed within Hoggart Park
Waka Kotahi has advised that SH2 Remutaka Hill Road (from Kaitoke to Featherston) is expected to reopen within the next hour. Crews are still clearing debris and checking for hazards along the route, so please drive with extra care and follow any instructions from traffic management teams.
Akatarawa Road is now open to traffic. Please drive with care as debris may still be scattered across the road.
Pine Avenue (from Hazel Street to Gibbon Street roundabout) and the Sheridan Crescent walkway are now open.
Power outages
Power remains out in parts of Akatarawa, Te Marua, Mangaroa, Whitemans Valley, Blue Mountains, and Moonshine Hill Road. Wellington Electricity is working as quickly and safely as possible to restore power to remaining residents.
What to do to keep you and your whānau safe
- Stay clear of fallen trees and treat all power lines as live.
- Avoid unnecessary travel while crews continue cleanup work. If you must travel, check your route and public transport options beforehand. Do take extra care when driving, especially in high-sided vehicles.
- Do not attempt to move debris or trees yourself as there may be hidden hazards or downed power lines.
- Secure loose items around your property, as strong gusts may continue into the evening.
- Bring pets inside or into safe shelter.
- Avoid sheltering under large trees in the event of falling branches.
- Clear stormwater drains to help prevent surface flooding.
- If you lose power, unplug major applicances to prevent damage when power is restored.
- Use a torch instead of candles to avoid fire risk.
- If you are medically dependent on power, ring 111 for emergency or go to your nearest medical centre.
- Check in on neighbours and whānau, especially those who may need extra support.
Our ongoing response
Council crews and contractors are lined up to continue cleanup and recovery work tomorrow, and staff remain on-call overnight to respond to any major incidents.
Who to contact to report information
To report hazards or fallen objects on public access: email askus@uhcc.govt.nz or ring Council 04-527 2169
To report life-threatening emergency or damage to private property: ring Fire and Emergency New Zealand on 111 and also your insurance provider.
To keep up-to-date with power outrage: click here for information from Wellington Electricity.
To keep up-to-date with weather event, follow MetService on their website.
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Updated 4.05PM, 23 October 2025
Incident on Flux Road and traffic management is in place to ensure the area is safe for travel. Please slow down and follow directions from traffic management staff.
There is also debris across several roads in Upper Hutt due to high winds. Our teams and contractors are out responding and clearing hazards as quickly and safely as possible. Please slow down and drive cautiously.
If you come across fallen trees, branches, or other hazards in public spaces, please do not attempt to move them yourself.
Treat all fallen power lines as live and report hazards to Council at askus@uhcc.govt.nz
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Updated 3.20PM, 23 October 2025
Power outage reported in Te Marua and is expected to be restored in 2 hours.
Streets affected:
- Beechwood Lane, Te Marua
- Beechwood Way, Te Marua
- State Highway 2, Te Marua
What to do during a power outage:
- If you lose power, unplug major appliances to prevent damage when power is restored.
- Use a torch instead of candles to avoid fire risk.
- Always treat fallen power lines or damaged electrical equipment as live. Stay well clear and report them immediately.
- If you are medically dependent on power, in an emergency call 111 or go to your nearest medical centre.
- Keep phones, torches and power banks charged in case the outages last a while.
- Check on neighbours and whānau, especially those who may need extra support
Check outages in Upper Hutt here.
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Updated 2.15PM, 23 October 2025
Closure in place and power outage updates
Pine Avenue (between Hazel Street and Gibbon St roundabout) is closed to all traffic due to fallen trees. Please avoid this area as Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) is working to clear the area as quickly as possible.
Beechwood Lane Bridge is still closed due to fallen tree and powerlines and is unaccessible. Please avoid this area and treat all fallen powerline as LIVE.
The walkway from Sheridan Crescent to Thackeray Street is currently closed due to a tree from a private property falling onto power lines. Please avoid the area for your safety. Our crew and FENZ are working to clear the area as quickly as possible.
Power has now been restored to Wallaceville. Wellington Electricity is continuing to work as quickly and safely as possible to restore power to the remaining affected residents.
Current streets affected by outage reported as at 2.15PM:
- Colletts Road, Mangaroa
- Ashton Warner Way, Whitemans Valley
- Hinkley Way, Blue Mountains
- Jane Mander Rise, Blue Mountains
- Janet Frame Way, Whitemans Valley
- Johnsons Road, Whitemans Valley
- Kakariki Way, Whitemans Valley
- Katherine Mansfield Drive, Whitemans Valley
- Margaret Mahy Drive, Blue Mountains
- Russells Road, Whitemans Valley
- Sierra Way, Blue Mountains
- Tvl Road, Blue Mountainse
- Whitemans Valley Road, Whitemans Valley
- Moon Ridge Road, Moonshine Valley
- Moonshine Hill Road, Moonshine Valley
- Moonshine Hill Road, Rd 1
- Moonshine Road, Judgeford
- Moonshine Road, Trentham
For your safety:
- Stay clear of fallen trees and power lines.
- Treat all downed lines as live.
- Contact your insurance provider for property damage.
- Report hazards in public spaces to Council using askus@uhcc.govt.nz
We will provide updates as the situation progresses.
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Updated 1.38PM, 23 October 2025
Power outage reported
Power outage has been reported in Blue Mountains and Whitemans Valley area. Power is expected to be restored in approximately 2 hours.
Streets affected:
- Ashton Warner Way, Whitemans Valley
- Gorrie Road, Mangaroa
- Hinkley Way, Blue Mountains
- Jane Mander Rise, Blue Mountains
- Janet Frame Way, Whitemans Valley
- Johnsons Road, Whitemans Valley
- Kakariki Way, Whitemans Valley
- Katherine Mansfield Drive, Whitemans Valley
- Margaret Mahy Drive, Blue Mountains
- Russells Road, Whitemans Valley
- Sierra Way, Blue Mountains
- Tvl Road, Blue Mountains
If your power is out, please stay clear of any downed power lines and treat all lines as live.
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Updated 1.21PM, 23 October 2025
Beechwood Lane Bridge is closed.
There is a tree across the powerlines and power pole down. The bridge is not accessible.
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Updated 12.15PM, 23 October 2025
Power outage reported and H2O Xtream updates
Power outage has been reported in Moonshine Hill Road area. Power is expected to be restored in approximately 3 hours.
Streets affected:
- Ahoroa Road, Judgeford
- Bulls Run Road, Moonshine Valley
- Moon Ridge Road, Moonshine Valley
- Moonshine Hill Road, Moonshine Valley
- Moonshine Hill Road, Rd 1
- Moonshine Road, Judgeford
- Moonshine Road, Trentham
If your power is out, please stay clear of any downed power lines and treat all lines as live.
Power has been restored to the homes in Blue Mountain, Silverstream and Trentham.
H2O Xtream Aquatic Centre is open today for our usual hours, and swim lessons are going ahead this afternoon.
We completely understand if families prefer to stay home and keep warm, so if you choose to miss today’s lesson, you’ll receive a credit for your swimming lesson today.
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Updated 11.25AM, 23 October 2025
SH2 Remutaka Hill Road is now closed.
Due to high winds for a sustained period of time, Remutaka Hill Road is now closed between Kaitoke and Featherston.
Please delay your travel or use an alternative route if possible. Strong gusts make driving dangerous, especially for high-sided vehicles.
Our Central Library remains open to Wellingtonians stuck on the Upper Hutt side of SH2 due to the Remutaka Hill Road closure. You’re welcome to take shelter, charge your devices, and wait safely until travel resumes.
Check Waka Kotahi for updates before travelling.
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Updated 10.55AM, 23 October 2025
174 homes in Blue Mountain, Trentham and Silverstream are experiencing power outages. Power is expected to restore in approximately 2 hours.
Streets affected:
- Avian Crescent, Blue Mountains
- Avian Road, Blue Mountains
- Avro Road, Blue Mountains
- Blue Mountains Road, Blue Mountains
- Kuku Valley, Trentham
- Reynolds Bach Drive, Silverstream
- Sierra Way, Blue Mountains
What to do during a power outage:
- If you lose power, unplug major appliances to prevent damage when power is restored.
- Use a torch instead of candles to avoid fire risk.
- Always treat fallen power lines or damaged electrical equipment as live. Stay well clear and report them immediately.
- If you are medically dependent on power, in an emergency call 111 or go to your nearest medical centre.
- Keep phones, torches and power banks charged in case the outages last a while.
- Check on neighbours and whānau, especially those who may need extra support
Check outages in Upper Hutt here.
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Updated at 9.35AM, 23 October 2025
We have report of tree down 6km up Akatarawa Road.
Please avoid the area while crews work to clear the road.
Do not attempt to move fallen trees or debris yourself as there may be hidden hazards or downed power lines.
If you live nearby, drive with caution, as debris and slips are possible along the route.
Do continue to report additional hazards by emailing askus@uhcc.govt.nz.
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Updated at 9AM, 23 October 2025
From 8 AM, Wellington Electricity staff are stationed in rural areas to support local residents and respond quickly to any weather-related issues.
Our roading and parks crews are also patrolling the CBD and wider city throughout the day, monitoring conditions, clearing debris, and ensuring public spaces remain safe.
If you are new to Upper Hutt and living rurally, please sign up here to be added to our rural text alert.
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Issued 6AM, 23 October 2025
MetService has issued a Red Strong Wind Warning and an Orange Heavy Rain Warning for Upper Hutt, in effect until 6PM, Thursday 23 October 2025.
Severe gale northwesterlies are expected, with damaging gusts of up to 140 km/h in exposed areas. The strongest winds are forecast for Wellington, Wairarapa, and areas south of Carterton.
KiwiRail has confirmed that all Wellington region rail lines will be closed between 8AM and 6PM on Thursday 23 October due to the Red Strong Wind Warning. As a result, all Metlink train services between Upper Hutt and Wellington are cancelled during this time. Passengers are encouraged to check metlink.org.nz for the latest service information and updates before travelling.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand has also issued a ban on all outdoor fires and fireworks across the Wellington region.
While Remutaka Hill Road may experience strong wind gusts and possible disruptions, the main impacts for Upper Hutt residents are expected to be wind damage and travel challenges as of this morning.
Council teams will be out and about assessing any impacts to public spaces and infrastructure, and will continue to respond as needed to keep our community safe.
At this stage, there are no reports of slips or surface flooding, and only minor impacts from wind have been observed.
Council reception, Upper Hutt Libraries and H2O Xtream will remain open during their usual business hours.
JP services at Central Library will run as usual from 11AM to 1PM. However StoryTots and UH Ukes at Central Library won't be going ahead.
What a Red Strong Wind Warning means
A Red Strong Wind Warning is the highest level of alert issued by MetService. It signals a potential severe weather event that can cause significant disruption and damage. Immediate action should be taken to protect people, animals, and property.
What to do to keep you and your whānau safe
- Stay indoors and away from windows.
- Secure loose outdoor items such as bins, furniture, trampolines and others that could become airborne.
- Bring pets inside or into safe shelter.
- Avoid sheltering under large trees in the event of falling branches.
- Postpone non-essential travel; if you must travel, check your route and public transport options beforehand. Do take extra care when driving, especially in high-sided vehicles.
- Prepare for possible power outages. Charge devices and have torches ready.
- If you rely on electricity for medical reasons, ensure you have an emergency plan and contact your power company and healthcare provider.
- Treat all fallen power lines as live and stay well clear.
- Keep emergency supplies such as food, water, and medications accessible.
- Clear stormwater drains to help prevent surface flooding.
- Check in on neighbours and whānau, especially those who may need extra support.
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.
Who to contact to report information
To report hazards or fallen objects on public access: email askus@uhcc.govt.nz or ring Council 04-527 2169
To report life-threatening emergency or damage to private property: ring Fire and Emergency New Zealand on 111 and also your insurance provider.
To keep up-to-date with power outrage: click here for information from Wellington Electricity.
To keep up-to-date with weather event, follow MetService on their website.