Severe Weather Warning – Heavy rain for Coromandel Peninsula

Easter Weather Update #1

Issued by MetService 09:48am Tuesday 11 Apr 2017

The Coromandel is getting prepared to batten down the hatches again as MetService issues another heavy rain warning.

Heavy rain is expected to develop tomorrow. Between midday Wednesday and Thursday afternoon, 80 to 100 mm is forecast to accumulate. Maximum rainfall rates of 30 to 40mm per hour with thunderstorms are possible. Further heavy rain may develop later on Thursday.

"If you're coming to the Coromandel this Easter weekend firstly check the roads and weather and be prepared. Ensure you have enough supplies in case you are isolated and also be prepared to re-schedule your stay," says Thames Valley Civil Defence Controller Garry Towler.

There are currently two main weather systems affecting the region:

• a low pressure system from the noth west, that will bring heavy rain from tomorrow midday,

• and the remains of Cyclone Cook itself which is scheduled to affect NZ on Thursday night on into Friday.

The route and timing of ex-Tropical Cyclone Cook are very difficult to predict at this stage, further information on the path of the cyclone should be available in MetService updates from tomorrowmorning.

"We're asking everyone to plan for the worst and hope for the best," says our Mayor Sandra Goudie.

"Take the opportunity before the rain sets in to clean out gutters, drains, culverts on your properties and check supplies, like medicines, food and drinking water. Batten down all the hatches and look after family, friends, neighbours and animals," says Mayor Sandra.

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.

Roading Update

Here is the situation with the roads at the moment:

Local roads:

No issues have been noted at this time, but this could change quickly with the weather.

Our water tables around the Coromandel are already 98% full, this means we are expecting more flooding, slips and potential for communities to be isolated.

Areas most likely to flood in a severe weather event are:

• Hot Water Beach - Dalmaney Corner

• Pauanui - Hikuai Settlement Road

• Hikuai - Precott's Garage

• Whitianga - Wade Road

• Manaia - SH25

• Whangamata - Wentworth Valley

• Thames - Kauaeranga Valley

To report an issue or to make request for service call us on 07 868 0200 (24/7) otherwise, you can complete the online form www.tcdc.govt.nz/rfs

State Highway network:

SH25 - Thames Coast Road

The section of State Highway 25 closed by a slip that was more than 1000 cubic metres big is expected to be open to one lane with stop-go traffic management in place 5pm Tuesday evening.

Stop-go traffic management will be in place while NZTA develop a solution to address a bigger slip that sits behind last week's slip.

“We ask that people plan their journey and check our website for the latest road conditions before they leave,” says NZ Transport Agency Highways Manager Karen Boyt. "We want people to put their safety and that of their family first."

NZTA and contractor Broad Spectrum will respond to any closure as soon as they are possibly able and are gathering extra resources as a precaution.

Other State Highway areas of interest:

• SH25 near to Sailors Grave Road, Pumpkin Hill - both lanes are now open, however traffic management remains in place and a speed restriction of 30km also applies.
•
• SH25 Whangamata to Whiritoa - due to road works in the area stop/go traffic management is in place.
•
• SH25 Coroglen to Tairua - due to work in the area stop/go traffic management is in place.
•
Please drive with caution.

Call NZTA's 24/7 freephone number to get the latest state highway travel information. You can also use this freephone number to report issues impacting travel on state highways. 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)

To keep up to date with the State Highway network see the NZTA website and follow them on Facebook.

High Tide Times

Thames

Wed 12 April - 07:11 - 2.8 m and 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 - 07:50 - 2.8 m and 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 - 07:54 - 2.0 m and 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

Kerbside Collections

Due to the slip at Ruamahanga Bay being cleared, some rubbish and recycling collection on the Thames Coast in this area were missed today. Collection at properties that were missed will be carried out tomorrow.

Rubbish and recycling collections will be a day later following the Easter Monday public holiday. And remember, the week starting Easter Monday (April 17) is Week 2 in our fortnightly Kerbside recycling collection schedule. The week of the Anzac Day public holiday, Kerbside collections will be as usual on Monday 24 April in Whangamata, Onemana and Opoutere, Pauanui, Tairua and Mercury Bay South. Everywhere else on the Coromandel, collections will be one day later that week. For the full Kerbside schedule see www.tcdc.govt.nz/kerbside.

All our Refuse Transfer Stations will be closed on Good Friday (14 April) but open their usual hours on Saturday and Sunday. They are open on Easter Monday (17 April) on their usual Sunday hours. On Anzac Day (25 April) our Refuse Transfer Stations are open from 1-5:30pm. For the full schedule of all seven of our transfer stations go to www.tcdc.govt.nz/rts.

Department of Conservation (DOC)

Kauaeranga Valley

The Kauaeranga Valley suffered extensive damage to roading, tracks and structures during recent storm events.

Access and camping up to the Booms Flat campsite will be available from midday Thursday 13 April. The road will be re-closed on Tuesday 18 April to allow catchment and road work to continue. The Pinnacles Hut, Kauri Trail walk, and Cookson Kauri walk remain closed.

With the weather coming in, it is likely that the access fords may flood cutting off access to Thames and isolating campers.

"We would like to advise any campers going into the Kauaeranga to be aware of the possibility of rain over next few days that the roads may become inaccessible," says Avi Holzapfel, Operations Manager, Hauraki District.

"All campers should ensure they have sufficient food and any medicines they may need in case they become isolated for several days."

For further information visit their website www.doc.govt.nz/kauaeranga or contact the Kauaeranga Visitor Centre on 07 867 9080 and follow them on Facebook here.

Cathedral Cove

The Cathedral Cove walking track and stairs have been damaged during the recent weather and DOC have advised us the track accessing Cathedral Cove beach will be closed until further notice due to structural damage. The track leading to Gemstone Bay and Stingray Bay will, at this stage, remain open.

For further information visit their website www.doc.govt.nz/te-whanganui-a-hei

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.

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