Cyclone Cook weather and roading update #11 – 20:30 pm

Storm surge at Tairua photo: Alison Smith

(Ex-Tropical) Cyclone Cook passed to the east of the Coromandel Peninsula without making landfall. The heavy rain warning is still in place across the region as follows:

• Coromandel Peninsula: 150 to 205 mm Wednesday to midnight Thursday, and wind of up to 150km/hr or more possible from Thursday afternoon with large waves of 5 metres or more.

• With the rainfall levels on already saturated ground, adverse impacts could include effects on the roading network, infrastructure, buildings and the possibility of communities becoming temporarily isolated.

The Thames-Coromandel District is still in a state of Emergency until further notice.

"There is no longer a call for evacuations, but suggest that those that have evacuated to stay where they are if they feel safe and comfortable to do so and plan to head home tomorrow morning," says Thames Valley Civil Defence Manager Helen Flynn.

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

· Black Jack Road (on Opito Bay Hill) is now clear

State Highway network:

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

· Flooding at Delmany Corner Whenuakite

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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