3 April 2012, 4.15pm

Hawke’s Bay Civil Defence Emergency Management | Media Release

Unpredictable weather for Hawke’s Bay

The watchword currently is “unpredictable” for Hawke’s Bay Civil Defence Emergency Management Group.

Eyes are on the region’s coastal settlements and river communities as the effects of sea swells and a low pressure system play out over the next few days. It is uncertain what level of impact Cyclone Daphne will have on the east coast.

HB CDEM Group is taking advice from MetService and Hawke’s Bay Regional Council’s science and asset teams to understand the likely impact of rain expected overnight Tuesday until midnight Wednesday.

Indications from HBRC are that some of the region’s rivers may get up to a 1-in-5 year river level. This means that floodwaters are likely to cover areas between stop banks. River levels will rise and fall quickly, and wet ground will make slips more likely.

“We’re expecting significant rain in the ranges from Takapau north, with 110 to 130 mm until midnight Wednesday, and a further 100 mm on Thursday” said Ian Macdonald, HB CDEM Group Manager.

“With this low pressure easterly system, the heavy rain will combine with an onshore swell and could be an issue for our low-lying coastal settlements during high tides.”

The swell is predicted to be 4-6 metres south of Kidnappers, 2-3m at Clifton/Te Awanga, 3-4.5 Haumoana to Waipatiki, 1-3m around Wairoa to Mahia and 4-6 around Mahanga. It is predicted to pick up overnight Tuesday and not ease until Saturday.

“We believe that, once again, northern Hawke’s Bay will take the brunt of the bad weather. We’re asking people to watch themselves, their families and neighbours, take appropriate action and be prepared,” said Mr Macdonald.

He said that farmers should consider moving stock from areas of their properties that are traditionally flood prone.

HB CDEM Group is meeting regularly to monitor and review the current situation.

ENDS

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