Severe Winds Cause Pedestrian Injuries, Fatalities Across New Zealand

A powerful wind gust in Wellington, New Zealand, blew a woman into a busy road, narrowly avoiding oncoming traffic as drivers managed to stop just in time. Dashcam footage captured her struggle against gale-force winds reaching up to 85 mph, showing her being pushed forward and falling into the street while her belongings flew away. The incident occurred amid severe weather warnings, including red-level alerts for destructive winds and heavy rain, with authorities warning of a significant threat to life from flying debris and falling trees. The storm disrupted travel, caused power outages, and tragically resulted in the death of a man hit by a falling branch in Wellington. Social media users expressed concern over the extreme weather, sharing their own experiences with dangerous gusts and urging caution. Officials advised people to stay indoors, avoid unnecessary travel, and be prepared for ongoing severe weather impacts.