Cyclone Hola update #2 - 11 March 4pm

MetService has now issued a severe weather warning for Cyclone Hola, which is expected to move southeastwards on Monday bringing severe gale force winds and heavy rain to northern and eastern parts of the North Island (including the Coromandel) during Monday and early Tuesday before moving away from the country.

The heavy rain and wind could cause coastal inundation. Gale southeasterlies are expected to develop from early Monday morning, then change to southwesterly during Monday afternoon and evening.

For the Coromandel, rain is expected to develop overnight tonight and become heavy early tomorrow morning then ease Monday night. 70-100mm is expected to accumulate, with peak intensities of 20-30mm per hour.

The heavy rain could cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly. Surface flooding and slips are possible and driving conditions may be hazardous, MetService advises.

Winds gusts of 130kmh or more in exposed places are possible. The winds are expected to ease late Monday night.

Check MetService for the latest weather updates.

High tides for the period are relatively low, especially compared to the king tides of early January.
Be prepared:
• Torches and fresh batteries
• Ample drinking water and emergency food supplies
• An alternative means of cooking source if power is cut
• If your property is in a low-lying area, check if you need to move items to higher ground.
• Put away loose items and tie down trampolines or anything else that could be blown around in strong winds.
NZ Civil Defence has prepared the Get Ready, Get Thru website with lots of information about planning for emergencies. If you get ready, then you can get through.
It's also important to stay informed before, during and after emergencies. The more avenues of communication available to you, the better.
Here are some we recommend:
Check MetService for the latest weather forecasts on this weather system.
Red Cross Hazards App - alerts about hazards. Download from the App Store or Google Play.
Local radio - Check stations and frequencies here.
Emergency Mobile Alert - these can be sent to your mobile phone, without needing to download an app or sign up. Check if your phone is capable of receiving them, here
Know your neighbours - phone each other, especially vulnerable people, to check if they're OK.
Waikato Regional Council has set up an online hub for rainfall and flood-related information to help people more easily keep up to date with severe weather events in the region. It can be found at www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/services/regional-services/regional-hazards-and-emergency-management/flood-room.
We will post regular updates on our Council's Facebook page as well as on our website and email newsletters.
Also follow Waikato Civil Defence on Facebook here and check out their website for updates here.
We'll also include updates on known local Council road closures. If you see a Council road that is impassable due to flooding or a debris, call us on 07 868 0200. If the issue is with a State Highway (eg, the Thames Coast Road, Kopu-Hikuai Road) please tell NZ Transport Agency on 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49) to speak to the call centre team who can also provide traffic and travel information.
Check NZTA's website before you travel for the latest information about road closures or work underway. You can also use their journey-planning website www.onthemove.govt.nz to plan the best route for your journey, taking into account known issues and traffic on state highways.
To report a power outage, contact Powerco or your provider.
For more on these channels, and other information about staying informed in emergencies, go to the Civil Defence "Never Happens" website.

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