Ellerslie and Civil Defence ready to go as storms rage

Three Department of Infrastructure crews are on standby tonight to deal with serious damage caused by the storms.

Up to 30 additional staff are also lined up if there is a spate of call-outs.

The road crews deal with emergencies such as moving fallen trees and making buildings safe, as well as closing roads if necessary.

Civil Maintenance Manager Alan Hardinge says the group's Ellerslie HQ will be opened if the extra crews are needed and a full-scale effort mounted through the night.

Civil Defence volunteers, who had been due to take part in training exercises this evening, have been called into active duty instead.