In what is the third news-worthly weather event of the day strong gales have felled power lines and ripped off roofs in Otago this evening.

MetService is predicting severe gales could gust up to 130 kilometres an hour in exposed parts of Dunedin and North Otago, and in inland parts of Canterbury.

As of 8:30pm Dunedin had gale force winds gusting to 100km/h.

Fire Service spokesman Andrew Norris says winds have ripped the roof off a boat shed on Portobello Road in Dunedin, damaging nearby power lines.

He says they had a similar problem on the road which leads up to Larnach Castle, when part of a roof was ripped off another building.

Mr Norris says fire crews have dealt with both issues, and are returning to base.

The gales are expected to ease overnight.
 

– with NewstalkZB.co.nz