By 3 News online staff
Ex-tropical cyclone June is expected to reach New Zealand's upper North Island later today. Formerly a category two storm, this morning June was passing by the Norfolk Island, northwest of the country.
Speaking on Firstline this morning, MetService meteorologist Daniel Corbett said the storm will continue to weaken as it moved south.
"She was a smallish cyclone, getting up to a category two as she moved past New Caledonia. Now [it is] moving into cooler waters into New Zealand, so there will be very strong winds blowing her apart."
He predicts June will begin to clear up around Wednesday, "and we can look forward to a nice area of high pressure by the end of the week".
The last damaging tropical cyclone to hit northern New Zealand was Wilma in 2011. June won't be as strong as Wilma, but electricity and gas network operator Vector is still warning of potential hazards strong winds and rain could bring.
The company is warning people to stay away from fallen power lines, as the lines may still be live.
In the event of a power outage, to switch off sensitive electrical equipment and appliances such as stoves and kettles, and people with a dependency on the power supply for medical reasons should be prepared.
3 News
source: newshub archive
