High winds in Southland lift roofing iron

ROBYN EDIE/Fairfax NZ

HOLD ON: Firefighters were called to a Southland Hospital building this morning after high winds lifted iron on the roof.

High winds have lifted iron from the roof of a Southland Hospital building this morning.

The MetService website says there is a severe weather watch for Southland.

Southern District Health Board building and property team leader Rob Hayes said the fire service was called to the doctor's accommodation building about 9.30am because the health board did not have the resources to fix the minor problem.

Firefighters would provide a temporary fix, while the board would organise a proper repair in coming days, Hayes said.

Invercargill Fire services senior station officer John Gilder said a fire truck with an aerial ladder was called in to provide further stability for firefighters carrying out the work.

"It's safer than using a ground ladder ... because of the wind," Gilder said.

The MetService website says wind gusts may exceed 100 km/h in exposed areas, while severe gales are forecast for exposed parts of Southland and Otago, mainly around Foveaux Strait and in the hills and ranges from the Catlins up to the Otago Peninsula.

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High winds in Southland lift roofing iron