More rain is expected in the region today as a red weather warning remains in place.
The Coromandel could expect a further 50 to 80 mm of rain about the ranges between 9am and 4pm on top of what has already fallen, with lesser amounts about the coast with peak rates of 10 to 15mm an hour especially about the ranges. Thunderstorms were also possible.
In the Bay of Plenty west of about Kawerau, including the Rotorua Lakes District, Western Bay of Plenty District and Tauranga City, a further 70 to 100mm of rain was expected between 9am and 9pm today with peak rates of 10 to 20mm an hour.
Tauranga City Council said in an update around 11.30am less rain than predicted had fallen so far, but a red rain warning was still in place which meant there was the potential for rain to cause dangerous river conditions, flooding and slips.
“Where possible please stay home and avoid unnecessary travel. If you do have to go out, stay away from flooded areas and waterways and don’t attempt to drive through flood water,” the council said.
“Our staff and contractors are keeping an eye on the situation and responding to any issues as they arise. If you spot any fallen trees, slips or flooding please call us on 07 5777000. Take care out there and remember to keep an eye out for whānau, friends and neighbours.
A huge number of sandbags were still being collected from outside the Downer building on Whakakake St “which was putting pressure on our supplies as they are flying off the pallets faster than Downer can replace them,” the council said.
“Please help us make sure those most at risk don’t miss out by collecting bags only if you have an immediate need or serious risk of flooding.”
Meanwhile, a slip has prompted the evacuation of three houses in Thornton Bay in the Coromandel.
Other properties on Adams Rd are also impacted and at least one of these is described as teetering on the edge of the slip.
A police spokesman said the landslip was reported around 8:20 am.
“Police are assisting Civil Defence to evacuate two houses on Thames Coast Rd and one house on Adams Rd in Thornton Bay. Police are also alerting others to prepare for evacuation if the slip worsens. It appears no one is injured. The situation is ongoing.
Oropi Bridge, near the golf course, has been reduced to one lane due to subsidence around the bridge, Tauranga City Council said this morning.
“Traffic lights are in place and will be monitored 24/7. We have no plans to close the bridge but will continue to monitor the subsidence until we can get in and repair it once the water levels drop.”
Meanwhile, State Highway 2 Karangahake Gorge between Paeroa and Waihī reopened overnight following a slip. Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency said the road was open under a 50km/h speed limit.
Coromandel Mayor Len Salt told Newstalk ZB’s Kerre Woodham this morning the flooding was not quite as bad as expected.
”Our roading crews have done this so many times before.”
He said the Minister for local Government had been in “constant touch” with them, and he will be there tomorrow. While they are looking at what they can do to address immediate issues, he said they’re starting the conversation about long term resilience for the region’s roading network.
Thames-Coromandel District Council reports that the region recorded 100mm of rain overnight.
It is also reminding locals to take extra care on the roads today or to avoid travelling.
”We still have 6-8 hours left with the current weather system, and we expect it to start easing later this afternoon.”
SH25A Kopu Hikuai and SH25 Hikuai to Tairua is closed.
Colville Rd is closed due to a slip between Oamaru and Amodeo bay. Neavesville Rd is closed as the road is impassable at the 4km mark.
SH26 Te Aroha to Paeroa is closed to due to flooding while SH25A Kopu to Hikuai is closed until further notice following the road collapse. The Tapu-Coroglen, 309 road, Port Jackson Rd, Hikuai Settlement Rd to Pāuanui road and Te Kouma Rd are also closed due to two fallen trees, slips and flooding.
The Kauaeranga River at Thames is very close to spilling, and this may happen this morning.
The council says a decision has also been made to cancel today’s scheduled kerbside collections for Whangamatā, Pāuanui, Onemana and Ōpoutere, Coromandel Town and Te Kouma.
The Coromandel Refuse Transfer Station is flooded and has had to close.
Tauranga City Council civil defence controller Mike Naude advised people to think about where they would go if they needed to evacuate.
“We are urging people to be prepared, and stay out of flood waters. Flood water may look calm, but those conditions can change really quickly, with devasting consequences.
“People need to stay out of flood water and take extra care around stormwater drains, culverts and manholes which become powerful suction devices that can sweep away a child or adult in an instant.
Since 9am on Friday, 18cm of rain had fallen at Tauranga Airport, 20cm at Rotorua and 9.5cm at Whakatāne which was described as “an impressive amount of rain” by MetService meteorologist John Law in a statement.
“This upgrade to a red warning is due to conditions on the ground, the saturation of the areas and river levels which mean it won’t take much of a top-up to see significant impacts.
“This rainfall has the potential to bring severe impacts to the area including dangerous river conditions and significant flooding. Slips and floodwaters are likely to disrupt travel, making some roads impassable and possibly isolating communities.”
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is urging people to avoid non-essential travel.
Western Bay of Plenty District Council deputy chief executive and infrastructure group general manager Gary Allis said the initial approximate for clean-up costs from over the weekend was $250,000.
Most of the damage related to slips on roads and the installation of a temporary bridge at No.4 Rd would be approximately $200,000.
“We estimate the total cost for the overall clean up and fixing of infrastructure is approximately $5 million.
“We are working hard and have multiple crews out across the district cleaning up slip sites to get our roading network cleared and back up to speed as quickly as possible.
“We are taking a priorities-based assessment: whether there is an exit or not; whether there is a detour available or not, full-lane or partial lane blockage; over-slip or under-slip.”
MetService meteorologist April Clark told the Bay of Plenty Times region was “quite saturated”.
“Even if we’re not going to get huge amounts of rain, it’s going to have larger impacts because of that exact reason.”
Impacts of the heavy rain could include flooding, power cuts and slips, she said.
A Transpower spokesperson confirmed there had been no power outages in the Bay of Plenty as a result of the weather since Friday.
“We have multiple crews on standby and have them based in strategic locations so that we can still gain access if there are more slips.”
Bay of Plenty Regional Council chief executive Fiona McTavish said it was monitoring river levels across the region and was helping agencies such as Bay of Plenty Civil Defence with planning and responding to flooding events.
It was also responding to maritime issues such as vessels sinking or coming free from moorings.
There was a plan in place that included teams “ready to quickly respond to the effects of a weather event”.
“The events in the Auckland region over the last 72 hours continue to reinforce the importance of agencies working in a proactive and coordinated way to prepare and respond to the needs of communities.
“It’s against this background that we continue to encourage residents across the rohe to stay informed about the latest weather, what’s in place in their community now should they need help and support, and who they can contact in the event of a major weather-related emergency.”
McTavish said people could find more information on the council’s role and who they could contact for information during an emergency on its website.
“People can also access real-time information on water levels across the region’s river and lakes catchment through our Environmental Data portal.”
In the Tauranga suburb of Maungatapu, a slip crashed into homes on Egret Ave about midnight on Saturday, forcing dozens of homeowners to be evacuated.
Egret Ave resident Sue Harding, whose home was damaged in the slip, said she and her husband Dave have not been able to return home.
“The slip is still moving,” she said.
Harding said they were staying with their son and daughter-in-law.
“But I can’t get things ... so it’s a bit of a blow.”
Geotechnical engineers were due to return to the site yesterday and let them know if they could pick some things up.
Te Whatu Ora medical officer of health at Toi Te Ora Public Health, Dr Phil Shoemack, said in the case of flooding, contact with floodwater should be avoided “whenever possible”.
“All floodwater is, by definition, significantly contaminated with bugs.
“Anyone assisting with the clean-up effort should wear gloves and regularly wash their hands with soap and water.”
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