High wind warning for Canterbury

Police are urging drivers in the Porters Pass area of Canterbury to take extreme care as high winds batter the area blowing a vehicle over and downing trees and powerlines.

Police said traffic was now moving again on State Highway 73 west of Springfield after trees and power lines bought down on the road had been cleared.

A truck on Porters Pass lost its load of iron sheeting but that had now also been cleared from the road.

Police said in Springfield power lines were across the road on Pocock Road while trees were down on Kowai Road.

Power lines and trees were also across the road on Smith Road and Beachcroft Road in Leeston.

Earlier police warned drivers in the areas around Methven and Ashburton to be very careful after high winds blew over a campervan and bought down tress and powerlines.

Methven police said the campervan, with two adults and two children on board, was blown over, 500 metres from the Mount Hutt turnoff, near Methven this morning.

One adult was taken to a local medical centre with minor injuries.

- NZPA