NEW ZEALANDThe South is bracing itself for more gales today as hundreds of homes remain without power from yesterday's devastating storms.
Gusts up to 140kmh smashed areas of Southland and Otago yesterday raising roofs, toppling trees, tipping over trucks and cutting power to around 2500 homes.
About 1500 homes were still without power this morning as MetService forecast more gale-force winds to hit the region.
"They're not expected to be as severe as yesterday but there could still be further damage to powerlines, trees, that kind of stuff. So it's just a warning," said forecaster Liz Haslan.
The east of the North Island from Hastings to Masterton can expect similar winds to yesterday with 120kmh gusts and a possible mean speed of about 75kmh this afternoon.
Damage from yesterday's storm is expected to run into the millions of dollars
