Media statement 1 - CDEM Canterbury - Cyclone Gita

MEDIA STATEMENT #1
Cyclone Gita
5pm 20 February 2018

The effects of Cyclone Gita are starting to be felt across the region, but the worst of the weather is still to come this this evening and overnight.

Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Canterbury is monitoring the Cyclone’s impacts from its Emergency Coordination Centre and will continue to do so overnight, liaising with local authority emergency management offices and emergency services.

Severe winds and heavy rainfall are set to pick up and get worse across the region this evening and into Wednesday February 21.

A state of emergency has been declared for Christchurch City, including Banks Peninsula, due to the severity of the potential impacts of the weather, giving residents early warning to prepare.

Other local authorities in Canterbury are closely monitoring the situation.

SH1 is closed both north and south of Kaikoura, however the inland route (SH70) is still open at this stage.

Environment Canterbury’s flood controllers are closely monitoring the rainfall and changing river flow conditions. If the amount of forecast rainfall eventuates, this storm has the potential to affect many of Canterbury’s rivers with peak flows expected overnight Tuesday and Wednesday morning.

More information:
• Flood warnings: https://www.ecan.govt.nz/home/flood-warning/
• River flow information: https://www.ecan.govt.nz/data/riverflow/
• Rainfall information: https://www.ecan.govt.nz/data/rainfall-data/
• MetService: http://www.metservice.com/warnings/severe-weather-warnings
• NZTA road closures: http://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic/regions/11

We advise residents to:
• Follow your local council websites and social media pages for detailed updates on the situation.
• Avoid driving through flood water - if you must drive in these areas, please slow down.
• Check your properties for anything that could get blown away and secure it.
• Listen to the radio and/or TV for updates or look out for information on the Civil Defence social media pages.
We will release further statements as the situation evolves and more information becomes available.

ENDS

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