Holidaymakers warned to lie low as ugly weather hits
Fears gales may be strong enough to cut power and bowl motorhomes
Coromandel holidaymakers were told to hunker down as torrential rain and gale-force winds battered the region. The district council braced for slips, power outages, road closures, flooding and high winds yesterday.
Metservice issued a heavy rain warning for Coromandel Peninsula from 1pm yesterday to 6pm today, with between 120mm and 160mm of rain expected to fall.
Strong winds could cut power in exposed areas of the upper North Island, Weatherwatch forecaster Philip Duncan warned yesterday.
“Eastern Waikato has the highest risk overnight tonight/Monday morning with gusts over 120km/h possible on the western side of the Kaimai and Coromandel Peninsula.
“The Hauraki Gulf, Great Barrier Island and north of Auckland may see gusts to 80 or 90km/h with isolated power cuts possible.”
The gusts would peak by this morning, easing as they “slid” down the North Island, Duncan said.
Civil Defence and emergency services prepared for the storm’s damage, activating its emergency operations centre.
Thames District Council civil defence controller Garry Towler told people to prepare and urged travellers to stay put until the storm passed.
“Secure outdoor furniture, check gutters and drains in your neighbourhood, check that your neighbours are okay, set up gas appliances and torches in case power goes out, charge phones and then just hunker down. It will be over by midafternoon on Monday.”
Motorhome users were warned to keep safe, as winds above 100km/h could blow over motorhomes, caravans and trucks.
A heavy rain watch was in place for Auckland, Gisborne and for parts of Bay of Plenty, and gale-force easterlies were likely to hit Northland, Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula and northern Waikato.
But the Coromandel was expected to bear the brunt of the damage — the town of Whitianga was hit by a severe thunderstorm, as more than 107mm of rain pelted down between 11pm on Saturday and 1am.
Waikato motorists were encouraged to take care and stay alert.
“Heavy rain may cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly,” NZTA Waikato system manager Cara Lauder said. “Surface flooding and slips are also possible and driving conditions may be hazardous.
“Drive to the conditions and watch out for surface flooding, slips and fallen trees or branches. Check your intended route for hazards or disruptions before setting out, using the Transport Agency’s Journey Planner website, and remain alert for unreported hazards.”
Meanwhile the same high that was pulling gales and heavy rain to the North Island was bringing sunny, frosty weather down South.