WeatherWatch.co.nz is warning that severe winds predicted across Christchurch and Canterbury later on Sunday and into Monday could see more building collapses following Saturday’s powerful 7.1 earthquake.

With numerous buildings badly damaged strong winds, possibly hurricane force at times especially inland, could easily see more brick walls and roofs come down.

WeatherWatch.co.nz head weather analyst Philip Duncan says it’s not something we would warn about with winds of this nature in this part of the country.  “Normally gales, up to 130km/h, don’t cause too many issues across Canterbury.  However with so many buildings possibly teetering on collapse we may well see more facades collapsing and chimneys, walls and roofs falling down”.

“The MetService wind warning that is in place for Christchurch and Canterbury during Sunday and Monday is something that locals and emergency services should take very seriously”.

Mr Duncan says winds will pick up in the afternoon and overnight into Monday.  “People should spend Sunday preparing for more possible powercuts, stock up on batteries and ensure you have torches.  With the infrastructure so delicate at the moment being prepared will make any further problems much easier to deal with”.

WeatherWatch.co.nz believes the worst of the gales will be out of the city and towards inland Canterbury however stresses that MetService do have severe wind warnings in place for Christchurch city as well as the rest of Canterbury with gales reaching 130km/h at times.