Weather alert for Coromandel Peninsula

Easter Weather Update #2

12:00pm Wednesday 12 Apr 2017

The Coromandel is on a full weather alert with the high possibility that Cyclone Cook will make landfall on the Coromandel in the next 24 hours.

Civil Defence is advising everybody to stock up on the supplies and medication today that will last at least 3 days.

"Everyone needs to be in a safe place and be prepared to sit it out for 24 hours or more," says Thames Valley Civil Defence Controller Garry Towler.

"Those planning to travel to or from the Coromandel from tonight through to Saturday, please delay your travel as the liklihood of slips and road closures is very high," says Mr Towler.

Residents need to be prepared for:

• Flooding - the Coromandel is saturated from previous weather events

• Multiple slips and debris flow (floods on steroids)

• The likelihood of power loss

• Road closures - both local Council roads and NZTA State Highways

Storm Surges are expected

Those in low lying coastal areas may see large waves of 5 metres or more and storm surges. The storm surge will impact beaches, rivers and estuaries.

"The beaches and rivers will be dangerous places to be in the next few days especially with the high level of water table saturation and the amount of debris that could wash down into the tributaries," says Mr Towler.

Thames

Wed 12 April - 20:22 - 3.9 m
Thurs 13 April - 07:54 - 2.8 m and 21:02 - 3.9 m
Fri 14 April - 08:35 - 2.8 m and 21:40 - 3.9 m
Sat 15 April - 09:53 - 2.8 m and 22:17 - 3.7 m

Coromandel

Wed 12 April - 20:18 - 2.8 m
Thurs 13 April - 08:31 - 2.8 m and 20:58 - 2.8 m
Fri 14 April - 09:11 - 2.8 m and 21:36 - 2.8 m
Sat 15 April - 09:49 - 2.7 m and 23:13 - 2.7 m

Whitianga

Wed 12 April - 20:19 - 2.0 m
Thurs 13 April - 08:36 - 2.0 m and 21:00 - 2.0 m
Fri 14 April - 09:16 - 2.0 m and 21:41 - 2.0 m
Sat 15 April - 09:56 - 2.0 m and 22:21 - 2.0 m

For more tide times see the MetService Website - Tide time - Coromandel Peninsula

Be prepared

Civil Defence would like to remind everyone to be prepared to potentially be isolated, without power, and you may need to make alternative arrangements if you are planning on travelling.

Now is also a good time to check your emergency survival kits and getaway kits.

• Have plenty of food and water for at least three days.

• Battery powered lighting is the safest and easiest and you should check all batteries every three months. Do not use candles as they can tip over in earthquake aftershocks or in a gust of wind. Do not use kerosene lamps, which require a great deal of ventilation and are not designed for indoor use.

• First aid kit and essential medicines.

• Blankets or sleeping bags.

• Pet supplies.

• If possible, make sure your mobile phones are charged.

Click here for a full checklist.

You should check and replace food and water every twelve months. It is recommended that you stock a two-week supply of food and water for prolonged emergencies such as a pandemic for your household.

For further information on how to assemble and maintain emergency survival items see www.getthru.govt.nz.

We also remind you that you may need to take care of yourself at home for up to a week, so check out everything you need at www.happens.nz.

How to keep up-to-date with what is happening

Severe weather warnings and watches have been issued for most of New Zealand this week.

Check www.metservice.com/warnings/home or follow MetService on Facebook here to stay up-to-date.

For weather alerts and information on how to prepare for emergencies download the NZ Red Cross Hazard App.

The Red Cross Hazards app is available from:
App store for iOS devices
Google Play store for Android devices

Check our Council's home page for news updates and alerts, follow our Facebook page and subscribe to our email newsletters and Twitter feed @OurCoromandel.

If you don't have a smartphone or other mobile device, or don't use the internet, organise someone who does to call you and vice-versa. Think about elderly neighbours, family and friends who are perhaps on their own and may need support.

For State Highway roading updates (SH25 and SH25A on the Coromandel) NZTA offer real time traffic and travel information emailed directly to you letting you know if there's a significant hold up or need for caution on the State Highway you travel on. You can register your route here onthemove.govt.nz or for general updates follow NZTA Waikato on Facebook and see their website here.

ends