Severe weather - flooding #1 5.30am

Due to the extreme weather we have reports of substantial flooding around Whangamata, Hikuai, Tairua and Pauanui. We are also getting reports of trees down around Opoutere and power outages around Whangamata.

If you are in this area or thinkng of travelling to or from these areas we are asking people to please stay off the roads.

We understand the Thames, Mercury Bay and Coromandel Town areas are unaffected so far.,

Civil Defence are anticipating people may need to evacuate from their homes in the southern Coromandel so are about to establish a Civil Defence center at the Whangamata Town Hall and the Pauanui Community Centre. We will let people know as soon as possible when these are open.

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