They are one of the least attractive of all fish species and are normally found lurking in oceans and rivers. But when part of New Zealand was hit by a ‘weather bomb’ recently, a number of eels suddenly sprung up in some surprising locations. Residents in one street in Masterton, Wellington, were left shocked to discover dozens of the slimy creatures swimming in large puddles and gutters in the road.

People could be spotted in the streets attempting to help the eels back into deeper water as a number became stranded on the side of the road.

It follows days of appalling weather in the region.

Storms of up to 60mph rocked Wellington, bringing down power lines, trees and even forcing boats from their moorings.

Speaking to The Dominion Post, fire service central communications shift manager Murray Dunbar said: ‘We haven’t had a large weather event like this for quite a while.’

The poor weather conditions were caused by a ‘weather bomb’ , which involved a rapid decrease in air pressure and produces high winds and heavy rain.

Other parts of the region were expected to be hit by winds of up to 94 mph.

Eels are elongated fish which range in length from 5cms to four metres.

There are about 800 different species of the fish, which mostly live in the shallow waters of the sea.

Elite.