Media release 17 March 2015
Cyclone Pam update
A state of local emergency is still in place in the Chatham Islands. Cyclone Pam remains an intense extra-tropical low, but will gradually move southeast away from the Islands over the next 48 hours.

Cyclone Pam is expected to lie 450km east southeast of the Chatham Islands by midnight tonight and damaging gales, rain and heavy swells are expected to last through intoWednesday evening. Heavy swells are expected to affect the Chatham Islands through to Thursday and have the potential to cause damage, especially to northern and eastern coastal areas.

Around 50 people have been affected by power cuts, but provisions have been made for the vulnerable. Precautions have been taken to ensure the public and emergency services personnel are prepared and safe overnight, including advising people not to travel. A number of roads are closed and could remain so for some time due to damage.

In Hawke’s Bay high tides for Haumoana, Te Awanga and Clifton continue to be the main areas of concern. The Hawke's Bay Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Group will continue to monitor the situation.

All immediate risks have passed for the rest of New Zealand and CDEM coordination centres have stood down and returned to duty arrangements. No major reports of damage have been received, but more detailed assessments are still underway.

The Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management is continuing to monitor the situation and will coordinate assistance.

Ends.

© Scoop Media