13 April 2017
1.21pm
#4
Cyclone Cook prompts early Easter exodus
Cyclone Cook is skirting the eastern side of the Auckland region, likely bringing brief heavy rain and wind to Waiheke, Great Barrier Island and the south eastern coastal areas of Beachlands, Maraetai, Clevedon and Hunua.
MetService’s forecast track map shows the cyclone to the east of Auckland and heading for the Bay of Plenty and Thames-Coromandel.
All Aucklanders need to think carefully about their travel plans and only travel if needed in these affected areas. Give particular consideration when leaving Auckland to areas likely to be severely impacted by the weather as it tracks down the country.
Auckland Civil Defence Head of Emergency Management Operations Aaron Davis says: “Don’t take chances with the weather and consider delaying travel if you’re planning to head out today. Keep an eye on weather updates, road information and if you’re flying in or out of Auckland check with your airline for regular updates.
“If you’re staying in Auckland, have a plan to cope with the weather. You should know where you’re friends and family are, know where you would meet if you are separated and think about your personal safety at all times.”
The weather may briefly impact Auckland’s roads and services, with public transport potentially disrupted. Follow @AklTransport and @NZTAAkl for the latest information. The Hunua area may have further disruptions.
“We’re seeing the rush hour starting already, as people are leaving early. If you must drive, drive to the conditions. If travelling on public transport there may be queues and everyone there are likely to be delays as the long weekend exodus takes place.
“The impact of wind on Auckland’s Harbour Bridge is being monitored and is flowing right now but as more people travel, more delays are likely – we think it is less likely that the bridge will need to close.”
Great Barrier Island is experiencing heavy rain and flooding in some areas, and this is moving towards Waiheke. The Hunua Ranges area may experience surface flooding and high winds. Orere Point is currently isolated due to slips and Kawakawa Bay is likely to become isolated as the day progresses.
Things to remember:
- If you have to drive, drive to the conditions. Remember, never drive through floodwaters or attempt to drive over slips. Drive slowly, especially in areas prone to slips or flooding and in the dark.
- If you get stuck in a flood, get out of your car and move to higher ground immediately, taking great care in the floodwaters (there may be unseen debris or holes, currents may be strong and water contaminated).
- If driving at night, drive slowly, especially through flood-prone areas as you may encounter flooding at short notice.
- If you live in an area that may be isolated, make sure you're prepared with food, torches etc and you've checked in with neighbours, friends and family.
- If your property or suburb may be affected by slips or power outages, prepare for the possibility that your road access may be cut off and ensure you have food and provisions on hand in case of isolation.
- Never attempt to drive over slips and treat power lines as live at all times.
- If there is an immediate risk to life or property contact the emergency services on 111.
- Report blocked drains, flooding and trees down on public land to the council on 09 301 0101.
- Check on neighbours and family, especially if they are in at risk areas or might be affected by flooding or slips.
12 April 2017
Plan now for a stormy start to the weekend
Auckland Civil Defence and Emergency Management is urging Aucklanders to think carefully about their travel plans and prepare for a wet few days.
Rain is hitting parts of the region already with scattered heavy showers in some areas. However, the worse is still to come.
MetService Metrologist Georgina Griffiths says Cyclone Cook is tracking as expected.
“The heavy rain and localised downpours that we’re already experiencing across the region are expected to worsen tomorrow.
“Added to the rain (tomorrow), we’ll see severe gales, with gusts of up to 140kmph being forecast as Cyclone Cook passes by the region. This is likely to impact on transport, particularly ferries and at airports,” she says.
Auckland Civil Defence Head of Emergency Management Operations Aaron Davis says Aucklanders should be clearing gutters and drains on their own property and seriously considering timing of holiday weekend travel.
“We strongly advise people to think carefully about their travel plans tomorrow (Thursday). With wild weather expected to hit the Auckland region between midday and 6pm, postponing travel is recommended.
“Our friends in the Thames-Coromandel District, which has just declared a civil defence emergency for the area, are also advising people to delay their travel until at least Saturday,” he says.
On Great Barrier Island, extreme rainfall is forecast to hit today and tomorrow. People on the Barrier are being urged to prepare for bursts of heavy rain and localised deluges over the next two days. The arrival of Cyclone Cook tomorrow is expected to bring more intense rain and extremely high winds of up to 165 km/h. Schools on the island are being advised to close tomorrow.
People in the Kawakawa Bay and Orere Point areas in Auckland’s south east – two areas already battered by previous weather events – are being warned they may again be isolated by road and be without power or phone for a substantial amount of time.
Mr Davis says contractors are on standby and the council has checked in with emergency services, utilities companies and lifelines providers.
“I can’t emphasise enough how important it is to keep an eye on the weather forecasts over the next few days and prepare to adjust your plans if the weather continues to deteriorate.
“Looking out for neighbours, friends and family will also be important, especially if you live, work or travel in an area that is prone to flooding, slips or power outages,” he says.
The council’s Healthy Waters department has, as part of its regular hotspot maintenance programme, begun clearing blocked inlets, outlets, catchpits and ponds that are known to contribute to flooding issues.
A portion of these are high risk and therefore included on the council’s regular ‘hot spot’ programme so are cleared before and after a heavy rain event.
If you’re heading out and about in Auckland over the long weekend consider the following advice:
· Always drive to the weather conditions and never drive through floodwaters.
· If you get stuck in a flood, get out of your car and move to higher ground immediately, taking great care in the floodwaters.
· Never play in or walk through floodwaters unnecessarily, you may encounter unseen objects, dangerous debris or holes.
· If driving at night, drive slowly, especially through flood-prone areas as you may encounter flooding at short notice.
· If your property or suburb may be affected by slips or power outages, prepare for the possibility that your road access may be cut off and ensure you have food and provisions on hand in case of isolation.
· Never attempt to drive over slips and treat power lines as live at all times.
· If there is an immediate risk to life or property contact the emergency services on 111.
· Report blocked drains, flooding and trees down on public land to the council on 09 301 0101.
· Check on neighbours and family, especially if they are in at risk areas or might be affected by flooding or slips.
· If you’ve planned to go camping in our regional parks – phone 09 301 0101 to check the status of the campground before setting off.
· If you’re planning to go mountain biking, tramping or walking in any regional parks – check conditions and weather forecasts before you go and make sure you’re well prepared for the conditions. If you’re heading out in the Waitakere Ranges, drop in to the Arataki Visitor Centre first for advice on conditions.
· Tapapakanga Regional Park remains closed.
12 April 2017
9.30am
#2
GBI to take first hit from tropical cyclone Cook
Extreme rainfall today (Wednesday) and tomorrow will hit Great Barrier Island in the lead up to tropical cyclone Cook’s arrival in the Auckland region.
Barrier residents are urged to prepare for bursts of heavy rain and localised deluges over the next two days. This will be followed by the arrival of Cook on Thursday which is expected to bring more intense rain and extremely high winds of up to 165-plus kmph.
Auckland Civil Defence Head of Emergency Management Operations Aaron Davis says current forecasts show the cyclone arriving around midday however keep an eye on updated forecasts throughout the day as this may change.
“The rain, combined with severe wind and coastal storm surge, could create extreme impacts for Great Barrier Island.
“Islanders need to brace themselves for some of the most severe weather they’ve seen in recent times.
“We know GBI is a strong local community that looks out for each other – now is the time for that community spirit to kick into gear. Please spend today planning for this incoming weather and making sure your property is secured, stock moved, and gutters and drains cleared.
“If your property may be at risk of flooding or slips, consider ahead of time whether you may need to stay with friends or family for the duration of this storm event,” he says.
If there is an immediate risk to life or property at any time, contact emergency services on 111.
Travel
- Consider postponing non-essential travel both on the island and to and from Great Barrier Island
- Visit SeaLink for the most up to date ferry schedules and information.
- If flying, check with your airline to see if flights are delayed or cancelled.
On the island
- Always drive to the weather conditions and never drive through floodwaters.
- If you get stuck in a flood, get out of your car and move to higher ground immediately, taking great care in the floodwaters.
- If driving at night, drive slowly, especially through flood-prone areas as you may encounter flooding at short notice.
- If your property or area may be affected by slips or power outages, prepare for the possibility that your road access may be cut off and ensure you have food and provisions on hand in case of isolation.
- Never attempt to drive over slips and treat power lines as live at all times.
- Report blocked drains, flooding and trees down on public land to the council on 09 301 0101.
- Check on neighbours and family, especially if they are in at risk areas or might be affected by flooding or slips.
11 April 2017
3.45pm
#1
Easter week forecast | Rain, rain and more rain
Clear gutters, check drains, keep an eye on weather forecasts and plan travel very carefully – it is going to be a very wet lead up to Easter across the Auckland region.
MetService is continuing to monitor incoming tropical rain bands and the impact of tropical cyclone Cook, making its way towards New Zealand from the Pacific.
Metservice Metrologist Georgina Griffiths has been keeping Auckland Civil Defence up to date and says that bursts of heavy rain are expected across the region from Wednesday.
“There is a risk of localised downpours on Wednesday and Thursday across the region, especially on Great Barrier Island.
“Similar impacts to the recent events in the Hunua Ranges and New Lynn are possible, given the saturation of the region.
“Tropical cyclone Cook is forecast to track close to the Auckland region late on Thursday, however it is too early to confirm Cook’s impact on New Zealand so keep an eye out for updated forecasts over the next few days,” she says.
Councillor John Watson, Deputy Chair of the council’s Civil Defence and Emergency Management Committee, urges Aucklanders to prepare for a wet week ahead.
“We’ve had a lot of rain already in the last four weeks and the region is pretty water-logged. It’s a good idea, while it’s still fine, to make sure gutters and drains on your property are clear and any blockages that you see on public land are reported to the council swiftly.
“If you’re driving this Easter weekend, check the weather forecasts regularly and, if you’re heading away when the worst of the weather is forecast to hit, perhaps think about adjusting your plans.
“Stay safe this holiday weekend Auckland,” he says.
Auckland Civil Defence and Auckland Council are preparing for the wet weekend ahead. Auckland Civil Defence Emergency Operations Manager Aaron Davis says teams are in active monitoring mode.
“Contractors are on standby and we’ve checked in with emergency services, utilities companies and lifelines providers.
“I can’t emphasise enough how important it is to keep an eye on the weather forecasts over the next few days and prepare to adjust your plans if the weather continues to deteriorate.
“Looking out for neighbours, friends and family will also be important, especially if you live, work or travel in an area that is prone to flooding, slips or power outages,” he says.
The council’s Healthy Waters department has, as part of its regular hotspot maintenance programme, begun clearing blocked inlets, outlets, catchpits and ponds that are known to contribute to flooding issues.
A portion of these are high risk and therefore included on the council’s regular ‘hot spot’ programme so are cleared before and after a heavy rain event.
If you’re heading out and about in the region this Easter weekend consider the following advice:
- Always drive to the weather conditions and never drive through floodwaters.
- If you get stuck in a flood, get out of your car and move to higher ground immediately, taking great care in the floodwaters.
- Never play in or walk through floodwaters unnecessarily, you may encounter unseen objects, dangerous debris or holes.
- If driving at night, drive slowly, especially through flood-prone areas as you may encounter flooding at short notice.
- If your property or suburb may be affected by slips or power outages, prepare for the possibility that your road access may be cut off and ensure you have food and provisions on hand in case of isolation.
- Never attempt to drive over slips and treat power lines as live at all times.
- If there is an immediate risk to life or property contact the emergency services on 111.
- Report blocked drains, flooding and trees down on public land to the council on 09 301 0101.
- Check on neighbours and family, especially if they are in at risk areas or might be affected by flooding or slips.
- If you’ve planned to go camping in our regional parks – phone 09 301 0101 to check the status of the campground before setting off.
- If you’re planning to go mountain biking, tramping or walking in any regional parks – check conditions and weather forecasts before you go and make sure you’re well prepared for the conditions. If you’re heading out in the Waitakere Ranges, drop in to the Arataki Visitor Centre first for advice on conditions.
- Tapapakanga Regional Park remains closed.