Cyclone Cook weather and roading update #10 – 17:30pm

Rain is starting to ease across much of the Coromandel, although the effects of Cyclone Cook are being felt as the storm system moves down the east coast.

"We are asking those that have evacuated to stay where they are if they feel safe and comfortable to do so and plan on heading home tomorrow morning," says Thames valley Civil Defence Controller Garry Towler.

"Those who have prepared to evacuate or have been thinking about evacuating, if you feel safe to do, stay where you are," says Mr Towler. "We are confident the storm has largely passed the coromandel and further evacuations are not considered necessary."

The Emergency Operating Centre (EOC) is being reduced by 50%, with around 20 staff who have been working throughout the day heading home to their families. the remaining staff will man the EOC until 21:00 pm when the Controller will make a decision about EOC capacity overnight.

Welfare Centres and Civil Defence Centres have all been closed for the night, as very few people have required their services. Council staff and community volunteers have been sent home.

"Based on intellegence we have received of the way the storm is tracking, the Civil Defence Centres will not be required so will remain closed," says Mr Towler. "If the situation changes overnight, a call will be made to re-open the centres."

"We want to remind people that we are still in a state of emergency, and urge them to exercise extreme caution and avoid travelling on the road tonight," says Mr Towler.

The next full update will be at 07:00 am friday morning.

Roading:

Local Council Roads:

· Surface flooding on most roads - drive with caution or avoid travel if you can.

· Colville Road closed between Papa Aroha and Amodeo Bay due to trees and slip material – open to one lane in various places

· Waiomu Valley Road Ford is impassable due to flooding

· Victoria Creek No.2 Ford is impassable due to flooding

· Kauaeranga Road closed beyond the Visitor Centre and will be closed completely from 12 noon today 13/4

· Te Kouma Road open to one lane in various places

· Black Jack Road (on Opito Bay Hill) closed. Crew on way to clear (as of 15:49)

State Highway network:

· SH25 - Thames Coast Road - is closed between Tararu and Preeces Point.

· Flooding at Delmany Corner Whenuakite, road still open at this stage

Motorists advised to restrict travel to essential movements only and to make themselves aware of weather conditions.

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.

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.

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