Exhibitors unfazed by wild weather
A large fallen tree and severe winds in the Waikato may threaten Fielday attendance numbers today, and delay free Fielday buses heading to Mystery Creek – but exhibitors are not worried.
Fallen trees on roads and power outages in the Waikato have caused traffic delays this morning.
A large fallen tree on Boundary Road blocked traffic into the city centre, and the congestion meant vehicles were as far back as Five Cross Roads.
The incident will mean there may be a delay for those hoping to catch the free bus from the area into Fieldays.
Waikato Police are urging motorists against all but essential travel, especially in the east of the district.
“There are severe winds in the eastern part of the Waikato toward the Kaimai Ranges. The weather is expected to ease and it’s not as strong as in the North,” said Metservice Meteorologist John Law.
Hamilton City shift manager Sergeant Dave Raffan said emergency services have had a busy night with slips, flooding and other incidents across the Coromandel.
SH25, south of Thames, is closed due to flooding and slips have closed the coast road to the north of the township.
Slips are also being attended to on Raglan Road and the north and south of Whitianga.
But stallholders at Fieldays said their sites have been unaffected bythe storm, and other sites are looking good too.
Pete Banks from Stihl said his stall is “all good”.
Sandford Industries director Kris Webster agreed.
“No everything is looking good. The sun is beaming now.”
Rozanne Dillon, a seller at Fieldays, said the weather is improving and won’t affect her at all.
She’s confident it won’t deter people from attending the event.
“We have gumboots and raincoats – as will other farm people.”
Tweets from locals show they will still be at the event today, regardless of the weather.
“One good thing about heading to #Fieldays2014 – at least there will be electricity there,” said Niki Bezzant on Twitter this morning.
