Gales and rain to pack punch as Gita arrives
Residents in the path of Cyclone Gita are bracing for severe gales, heavy rain, big seas and floods less than three weeks since Cyclone Fehi battered parts of New Zealand.
Gita, which has already been destructive in the Pacific Islands, is expected to hit hard and fast. It will track southeast after making landfall today at the northwestern tip of the South Island.
The cyclone will affect mostly the upper and central South Island and lower North Island and ‘‘pack a punch’’. Residents have been warned to secure properties and avoid non-essential travel in ‘‘treacherous’’ conditions.
Disruptions to essential services and travel, along with school and road closures, are widely expected.
Nelson, Westport and Greymouth are forecast to bear the brunt of the storm. Authorities there expect to trigger a state of emergency to deal with flooding, storm surges and high winds. Ocean waves could reach six metres high.
The Canterbury high country and the Kaiko¯ ura district expect very heavy rain, with up to 200mm possible.
At Hector, north of Westport, Penny Madden has only just finished cleaning up from ex-cyclone Fehi. Now more wild weather is bearing down on her seaside home.
She moved everything she could to the upstairs of her house and would evacuate to an empty holiday home today.
For Madden, the large swells from the storms cause the damage. During Fehi, Madden’s garage was destroyed, with bits ending up across the road. Several trees pushed against the house.
‘‘My head says it’s time to move, but my heart says I love my house, and I don’t want to.’’
In Christchurch, Civil Defence staff will knock on the doors of flood-prone homes, making sure residents take precautions. The effects of the cyclone should be felt in the city from early today, with the worst weather due between 5pm today and 3am tomorrow.
On the West Coast, schools in Buller and Grey districts will close for 48 hours, visitors are urged to stay at campsites and road users are being warned of potential slips, rockfalls and flooding. Punakaiki residents are being advised to boil drinking water.
The Christchurch City Council has temporary pumps ready for flood-prone areas. Contractors have checked the stormwater network, stopbanks and water supply wellheads to ensure they work properly.
The city could get more than 70mm of
rain in 24 hours, enough to flood streets. Higher falls are expected in Banks Peninsula with a risk of slips and trees falling.
High winds could reach 120kmh in Christchurch. High tide at about 9pm today will coincide with the heavy rain, increasing the flood risk. Floods could be similar to those that inundated homes in the city last July. It is not yet known what effect the winds will have on waves and whether a storm surge is likely.
The Christchurch City Council said contractors would respond to flooding problems and close flooded roads. Kerbside bin collections will continue, but the council asked people not to put bins out overnight and to close lids flat.
Residents in Takamatua, Duvauchelle and Akaroa using stream-fed water should limit water use during the storm as streams could become dirty.
Civil Defence is monitoring events and will use its new Christchurch Emergency Operations Centre if needed.
Civil Defence director Sarah StuartBlack warned people in the path of the storm to be ready. ‘‘Cyclone Gita has the potential to pack a punch. Now is the perfect time to plan ahead.’’