Severe wind next threat for Canterbury

Severe winds forecast today may be strong enough to further damage already fragile buildings after the 7.1 magnitude earthquake in Canterbury early yesterday morning.

Many homes have been exposed to the elements, which are expected to take a turn for the worse with gales, and possibly hurricane force winds inland, forecast for this afternoon.

"Normally gales, up to 130km/h, don't cause too many issues across Canterbury," WeatherWatch.co.nz head weather analyst Philip Duncan said.

"However with so many buildings possibly teetering on collapse we may well see more facades collapsing and chimneys, walls and roofs falling down."

Locals and emergency services should take seriously the MetService wind warning in place for Christchurch and Canterbury until Monday, preparing for more possible power cuts by ensuring torches work and stocking up on batteries.

"With the infrastructure so delicate at the moment being prepared will make any further problems much easier to deal with," Mr Duncan said.

The worst of the gales would be in inland Canterbury, but winds would still be strong in the quake-damaged areas.

- NZPA