Waterless

Well - my taps are this evening, although there's plenty of the wet stuff outside.

It rained last night then rained some more during the day. Around lunchtime things started to change......w-a-y windier, horizontal rain by the bucketful. The message went round school - closing early. Bus bay closed by the police - trees down. Roads closed. At one point everyone in our office moved quickly to the middle of the room away from the windows, such was the force pummelling the building we feared they may implode. The noise was incredible.

I had an appointment in town straight after work - the drive in revealed more roads closed and trees down.

It's continued tonight and, we're told, will continue until tomorrow. Time to head to bed but.........I discover only a dribble of water running from the tap. A quick call to the council revealed that a tree just down the road has blown over and in doing so has ripped a main water pipe that services our road so the water is off until they can fix it....maybe tonight, maybe tomorrow.

It sounds bad but I feel remarkably fortunate. No flooding, only minor interior dripping and my boys all safe and sound indoors. I know others have not been so lucky. Just along the road from my appointment a tree had fallen through someone's house apparently. Several people from work had holidays booked and were expecting to fly out of Nelson to Wellington then on to beautiful, tropical holiday destinations. Wellington on a mildly windy day can be hair-raising. Wellington on a super-stormy day - no thank you!

This storm had already wreaked havoc over the North Island before making it's way down here so I hope everyone is safe and dry up and down the country. Hang in there.