Cyclone Cook weather and roading update #9 – 3:30pm

Heavy rain combined with strong winds and a powerful storm surge may cause landslips, fallen trees and power lines and inundate low-lying coastal areas as Cyclone Cook arrives late this afternoon and early evening. Beach-front areas and estuaries which have experienced flooding in previous storms are at risk, and people in such areas have been asked to evacuate.

Our Mayor Sandra Goudie declared a Civil Defence emergency for Thames-Coromandel District, and Civil Defence is advising against travel to the Coromandel until Saturday given the severity of the storm. If you’re already here, don’t travel this afternoon and evening if you can avoid it.

“Civil Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee called me last night and said if we needed any help I should call him,” Mayor Sandra says. Coromandel Member of Parliament Scott Simpson, in Wellington, had also expressed his support, Mayor Sandra says.

Three Defence Force Unimog vehicles plus personnel have been deployed to the Coromandel and are stationed at Thames, Tairua and Whitianga, at the fire stations, to assist if necessary.

Check our TCDC Facebook page for the latest updates on district roads, check NZTA’s website for State Highways , and go to www.metservice.com for the latest weather forecast.

“We have a high degree of confidence that we have reached as many people as possible to leave the Coromandel, or go to safe ground or stay with family and friends,” says Thames Valley Civil Defence Controller Garry Towler.

Mr Towler says Powerco reports a noticeable decrease in power use, an indication that people have heeded the Civil Defence warning to avoid coming to the Coromandel in what would usually be a busy time for the Easter long weekend.

Civil Defence welfare centres are in operation for those seeking shelter, or just information:
• Coromandel St John Ambulance - 355 Tiki Road Coromandel
• Whitianga Town Hall – 22 Monk Street Whitianga
• Tairua Hall – 210 Main Road Tairua
• Whangamata Town Hall - 326 Port Road Whangamata
• Thames Civic Centre - 200 Mary Street Thames
Companion pets can be taken to all these shelters but must be under the owner’s control at all times.
Here is the latest update on roads and flooding as of 3pm Thursday.
• SH25 - Thames Coast Road - is closed between Tararu and Preeces Point.
• Colville Rd – Open to single lane at various places due to slips and vegetation
• Te Kouma Rd – Open to single lane at various places due to slips
• Waiomu Valley Road Ford is impassable due to flooding
• Victoria No.2 Ford is impassable due to flooding
• A report of a large pine tree at the summit of Port Charles Road in danger of falling across the road is being assessed.
Employers are being asked to consider the safety of their employees, especially if they have to travel some distance to go home, and consider letting staff go home early today.
“We want people to be off the roads before the rain really starts coming in from early this afternoon. Peak intensities are expected from this evening," says Waikato Civil Defence Group Controller Lee Hazlewood.
Weather
MetService says: “Cyclone Cook is expected to make landfall over Bay of Plenty this evening and move southwards reaching Wellington or Wairarapa in the early hours of Friday morning.”
Strong winds with gusts up to 150kmh are possible and coastal areas may see large waves. Check the Waikato Regional Council’s coastal inundation mapping tool.
In the Coromandel, MetService says: “Heavy rain is expected to ease tonight. In the 12 hours from 9am to 9pm today, 80 to 120mm is forecast to accumulate, in addition to what has already fallen. The heaviest falls are expected from around 3pm, when rainfall rates could reach 25 to 50mm or more with thunderstorms possible.”
River Levels:
All river levels are rising, to check current levels see the Waikato Regional Council website www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/services/regional-services/river-levels-and-rainfall.
The Whitianga Ferry will stop running between 2PM and 6PM today. It is expected normal service will resume from 6PM, however we will keep you updated.

Be prepared

Civil Defence would like to remind everyone to be prepared to potentially be isolated, without power, and you may need to make alternative arrangements if you are planning on travelling.
Now is also a good time to check your emergency survival kits and getaway kits.
• Have plenty of food and water for at least three days.
• Battery powered lighting is the safest and easiest and you should check all batteries every three months. Do not use candles as they can tip over in earthquake aftershocks or in a gust of wind. Do not use kerosene lamps, which require a great deal of ventilation and are not designed for indoor use.
• First aid kit and essential medicines.
• Blankets or sleeping bags.
• Pet supplies.
• If possible, make sure your mobile phones are charged.
Click here for a full checklist.
We also remind you that you may need to take care of yourself at home for up to a week, so check out everything you need at www.happens.nz.

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