Severe weather - flooding update #6 11:02 am

Severe Weather Warning - Heavy Rain Warning

Areas Affected: Coromandel Peninsula Heavy rain is expected to continue through to this afternoon. In the 7 hours from 7am until 2pm today, expect a further 60 to 90mm of rain on top of what has already fallen. Peak intensities of 25-40mm.
Issued: 7:49 am 8 Mar 2017 NZDT

MetService Information
For updated information refer www.metservice.com

Summary of Issues

Widespread flooding of roads on Eastern Seaboard and Kaiaua coast north with multiple communities isolated due to road closures including Kaiaua, Whiritoa, Onemana, Opoutere, Whangamata, Pauanui.
Thames SH25 closed South of Thames

Civil Defence Centre set up at Whangamata Hall

Thames Coast Road open but extreme caution required surface flooding and debris.

Settlements:

Whiritoa

• Damage to Fire Station due to flooding. Only contact with station is 0211140702
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• Flooding to property’s throughout township.
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• Isolated due to slips either side.
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• Multiple people stranded in vehicles due to slips. Access was attempted from either side with no result. Contractor are being sent to clear the road.
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• Information indicates Whiritoa has been badly affected, and are commencing evacuations to the local surf club.
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Whangamata

• SH25 closed northbound at Opoutere – Flooding
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• SH25 closed Southbound at Whangamata – Flooding / Slips
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• Multiple businesses and houses flooded.
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• Wastewater network shutdown due to infiltration
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• 3 houses evacuated
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Onemana
- 2 x Houses damaged by slip. Occupants are all accounted for and have been relocated. House is not safe to inhabit. Isolated due to flooding on SH25A

Hikuai/Pauanui
- Severely flooded, all access closed
- Houses flooded at Duck Creek – Fire Service unable to gain access through water.

Tairua
- 2 household evacuations due to flooding

Kaiaua
6-10 houses flooded – evacuees being looked after by friends & family
Sand bags are being prepared at Fire Station

Waihi
Barry Road bridge flooded

Telecommunications

Whangamata reports of Spark outage
Whitianga reports of Vodafone outage
Chorus: Fibre optics cable alert for the Peninsula

Tides
THAMES Weds 8 High 16:06hrs 3.6m
WHITIANGA Wed 8 High 16:19hrs 2.0m

Road Closures
SH25 Thames - Kopu – Kauaeranga Bridge. Spillway operating
SH25 between Tairua SH25A
SH25 Whiritoa both directions
SH25 Opoutere: between Opoutere Road & Liddle Road
SH25 – Manaia – Fire Chief reported of closure
Finlay Road Miranda South of Kaiaua
East Coast Road Kaiaua

Note: SH 25 Thames – informal Est of reopening by 11:00 hrs
All roads Tairua to Whangamata likely to remain closed all day

Road Hazards
SH25 Thames Coast Road - North of Whakatete Bay

For updated information refer maps.aa.co.nz/traffic/roadwatch or www.nzta.govt.nz/traffic/current-conditions/highway-info/road/7873/north-island.html

NZ Fire Service
Report 23 call outs to events in Thames-Coromandel District

Thames Hospital
CC activated
Clinics and surgery closed

Power Outages
Tairua – 368 properties – Est. restoration: 11:30 hrs
Opoutere – 199 properties – Est. restoration: 17:00 hrs
For updates and further details refer http://www.powerco.co.nz/Outages-and-Faults/

Water Supply

PURIRI - Has no water / low pressure.
TAIRUA - has power outages and water plant not going.
PAUANUI - Water Plant not going. Reservoir level is ok.
ONEMANA - Reservoir town dropping quickly. Might be due to a break. Access problems

Watewater

Treatment plants are under pressure, we advise that people treat floodwater as contaminated, both from overloaded wastewater systems and from runoff in the catchments.

Stranded reports
Maratoto Valley - College students at Maratoto camp being relocated Paeroa War Memorial Hall
Wentworth Valley – reports of 20 campers at DOC campground
Opoutere – 3 mobile homes stranded – Neville 0211 035 090

RAINFALL
Latest data Rainfall total for the last 24 hours (mm)

• Castle Rock 148.5
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• Golden Cross 123.0
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• The Pinnacles 407.0
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(for updates refer http://www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/Services/Regional-services/River-levels-and-rainfall/Rainfall---latest-reading/

ends