Rotorua Lakes Council Civil Defence team remains on standby

Monday 16 March

Rotorua 8am: Rotorua Lakes Council’s Civil Defence team remains on standby and is continuing to monitor the passage of Cyclone Pam as it travels to the east of New Zealand.

At this stage it has not been necessary to activate the council’s emergency operations centre in Rotorua.

So far no serious storm related issues in Rotorua have been reported to the council.

Bay of Plenty Civil Defence Group’s Emergency Coordination Centre in Whakatane was activated at 5am this morning (Monday 16 March) to support the response to Cyclone Pam across the wider region.

Cyclone Pam has now been reclassified as an intense extra tropical cyclone. However a severe weather warning remains in place.

Early reports indicate no significant damage throughout the Bay of Plenty region overnight but the situation is being monitored as winds are expected to develop this morning, particularly east of Whakatāne.

Extremely strong wind gusts, heavy rain and large waves are still expected in some parts of the region.

Regular updates will continue to be provided on Bay of Plenty Civil Defence Emergency Management’s website and Facebook:

www.bopcivildefence.govt.nz

www.facebook.com/BOPCivilDefence.

-ENDS-

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