High winds are continuing to take on parts of the South Island

MetService still has heavy rain and strong wind warnings in place for most places as a storm rolls through.

Severe gusts blew over trees knocking out power to hundreds of homes yesterday.

MetService meteorologist Tui McInnes says Ashburton and Dunedin recorded their highest winds all year - reaching 120 kilometres per hour.

He says it's the eighth time since 2006 Ashburton has recorded winds over 100 kilometres per hour.