Cyclone Pam Update - March 17

Hawke’s Bay Civil Defence Emergency Management Group says the main area of concern from Cyclone Pam in the region being the high tides for Haumoana, Te Awanga and Clifton has largely passed.

High tide at 3 o’clock this afternoon resulted in some minor flooding from large seas overtopping the coastal berms between Haumoana and Clifton. However there were only minor issues as a result.

Hastings Civil Defence Emergency Management staff and volunteers, assisted by the NZ Fire Service and Hawke’s Bay Regional Council staff were on the ground ready to respond when required.

A portable pump has been deployed by the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council to the mouth of the Tukituki River to reduce the water level in the Haumoana estuary.

Additional pumps were reported to be coping and reducing the risk.

The latest forecast and conditions indicate that there should be no further issues from the remnants of Cyclone Pam for Hawke’s Bay. However Hastings Civil Defence Emergency Management staff will continue to monitor the next high tide at the Cape Coast due at 4 o’clock tomorrow morning.

-ends