TCDC - Weather update 5 January 2:30pm
Weather update #8 - 5 January 2:30pm
(Photo: SH25 - Thames Coast
Road - at Thornton Bay. Police photo)
This
morning’s high tide has receded and we’re assessing
damage from flooding to roads and property.
We're asking people to call 111 if they are in danger. Also: stay off the roads please and don't undertake any unnecessary travel.
If you can't access your home, seek assistance from your neighbours. Call our Customer Services line on 07 868 0200 to register your need for long-term welfare support if your home is uninhabitable.
MetService has lifted its heavy rain warning for the Coromandel and is forecasting the strong winds to die down this evening. However, this evening's high tide around 10:30-11pm may present more flooding.
Here’s what we know:
Thames Coast Road
(SH25) is closed between Thames and Manaia due to slips and
debris on the road left by the flooding.
SH25 just south
of Thames was closed earlier as the Kauaeranga River
spillway activated but was expected to re-open once the high
tide receded.
In the Thames area, sandbags are available
the Broadspectrum depot on Burke St.
Te Puru Community
Hall is open for anyone whose home was flooded or stranded
motorists.
Pauanui water treatment plant is closed due to
too much turbidity and sediment in the water, which prevents
treatment. We’re asking residents and visitors there to
conserve water until we can resume treatment - once the
stream runs clear after the rain eases.
The Whitianga
Ferry service is back in operation.
On Council roads,
Port Jackson Road is closed north of Urarima Stream
(approximately 8.5km north of the Colville Road
intersection) due to the high sea level, however we expect
it to be reopened later today once the tide recedes and
debris removed.
Several roads in Thames are closed: Davy
Street, Amy Street, Beach Road, Brown Street and Fergusson
Drive.
Thames Centennial Pool is closed. We hope to have
it open tomorrow.
DOC has confirmed the Pinnacles Hut is
open, however there are high winds so care must be taken on
the ridge before the hut. Kauaeranga Visitor Centre strongly
advise day walkers not to attempt going to the summit of
Pinnacles today. The road is open with some metal washout
but still driveable for two wheel vehicles.
Water supply
to Hikutaia has been restored but will take time to build up
pressure.
Powerco reports power outages in Colville with
expected restoration 3pm and Cooks Beach with expected
restoration at 2:30pm. An outage in Opito Bay was expected
to resolved at 12pm. Click here for further updates
and information.
Check NZTA's website before you
travel for the latest information about road closures or
work underway. You can also use their journey-planning
website www.onthemove.govt.nz to plan
the best route for your journey, taking into account known
issues and traffic on state highways.
We'll also include
updates on known local Council road closures here. If you see a Council road
that is impassable due to flooding or a debris, call us on
07 868 0200.
The next high tides are due this evening
at:
Whitianga
Friday 5 Jan at
22:28
Thames
Friday 5 Jan at
22:57
To report a power outage, contact Powerco.
Check MetService for the latest
weather forecasts.
Waikato Regional Council has set up an
online hub for rainfall and flood related information to
help people more easily keep up to date with severe weather
events in the region.
It can be found at waikatoregion.govt.nz/flood-room
We
will post regular updates on our Council's Facebook page as
well as on our website and email newsletters.
We still
have a Total Fire Ban in place until at least 8 February,
which includes bonfires and fireworks. See www.tcdc.govt.nz/fire for more
information.
The rain should help replenish reservoirs
and water tanks, but we're still facing water restrictions
due to high use and also filtering sediment and silt that
will be coming through from this weather event. We will be
reassessing the reservoir levels within the next 24 hours to
see if restrictions need to be changed. See what
restrictions apply on our website www.tcdc.govt.nz/water.
Click here to view the events
on around the Coromandel and refer to specific sites for
cancellation details.