Storm cuts off New Zealand’s capital as flights, ferries cancelled

Gale-force winds and rough seas battered New Zealand’s capital ⁠of Wellington on ⁠Tuesday, forcing ferry and flight ⁠cancellations and road closures as authorities urged hundreds of residents along the city’s south coast to evacuate.A light aircraft was briefly blown over by strong winds at Wellington airport after a gust ‌of wind tipped the plane onto its wing and wheel, the airport confirmed by email.“Nobody was injured and it was quickly righted,” it said.The New Zealand Herald said the plane had just landed and passengers had disembarked when the craft tipped.Around eight flights were cancelled ⁠at Wellington’s airport. Air New Zealand has informed passengers that forecast high winds could ‌disrupt some flights from Wellington and offered rebooking options, Radio New Zealand reported.No one in their right mind would go out on the water todayA state of emergency has been declared for ‌parts of Wellington as the weather bureau warned of waves up to ⁠nine metres (29.5 ⁠feet) along the city’s south coast.