The projected track of Cyclone Vaianu at 9am on Sunday. Image / Windy.com
Cyclone Vaianu is expected to make its presence known in Northland from Saturday night.
MetService has issued a heavy rain watch for the region from 9pm on Saturday until 9am on Sunday, and a strong wind watch from 9pm on Saturday until 6pm on Sunday.
Meteorologist Alanna Burrows said high-impact areas would be identified once the storm’s track became clearer, with the possibility of warnings being issued.
As the storm bears down upon Northland, winds will first come from the east before turning westerly, leaving both coasts in the firing line.
“Some people that have originally been sheltered quite recently might see some of those impacts,” Burrows said.
Gusts of up to 110km/h or potentially more were possible.
Swells of up to 8m have also been forecast from 1am on Sunday in the east of the Far North.
Burrows said that could bring damage to trees, powerlines, structures, transport, and possibly roofs.
On top of strong winds, she said MetService was “really concerned” about the impact of rain on an already sodden region.
Streams could rise rapidly, and flooding was expected.
The tropical system was also expected to bring hot air, making for uncomfortable sleeping.
Temperatures in Whangārei could be 4C above average on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night.
Earth Sciences NZ principal scientist Chris Brandolino warned that those in eastern Northland and northern parts of the Coromandel would “cop the worst”.
He told Ryan Bridge TODAY that the cyclone would lose its tropical characteristics as it hit, becoming an “ex-tropical” cyclone.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon told reporters yesterday that Cyclone Vaianu was a potentially “damaging and significant event” for the country, with government agencies set to be “on full notice”.
Burrows said the purpose of early watches was to give people enough time to prepare, starting from now.
“So consider what you’re doing through Saturday evening and through Sunday. You might want to have supplies at home.”
The National Emergency Management Agency (Nema) is warning people to act now.
Director of civil defence emergency management John Price said people should start preparing before the storm arrived, as “later could be too late”.
“Trust your danger sense and don’t wait for official warnings. Do not enter floodwaters as they are dangerous and can kill you.”
Price said landslides were an “almost certainty” in some areas, with the ground already saturated after recent heavy rain.
Kaipara Mayor Jonathan Larsen said early preparation by both council and the community would be key.
“We don’t yet know exactly what Cyclone Vaianu will bring, but preparing early puts us in the best position.”
“Council teams are ready to respond, and we’re asking our community to take some time now to prepare their homes and families.”
Roading contractors had been out clearing drains and debris to reduce the risk of surface flooding, with crews on standby in case conditions worsen.
People should follow the latest MetService forecasts and take advice from Northland Civil Defence, he said.
“Looking out for each other and staying informed will help us all get through this safely.”
He encouraged people in the district to download Antenno so they can stay informed.
The Advocate approached Whangārei Mayor Ken Couper and Far North Mayor Moko Tepania for comment, but both were unavailable.
Whangārei District Council redirected the Advocate to a video on its Facebook page of Couper speaking about the cyclone.
In it he says if the cyclone continued as predicted, it could be “quite nasty”.
“It’s a case of just really trying to be aware and talk to your neighbours, keep an eye out, make sure you know where your loved ones are and what’s going on.”
“As we are looking at it today, it could be quite serious come Sunday.”
The Advocate was also directed to a video on Far North District Council’s Facebook page for comment from Mayor Moko Tepania.
In the video, Tepania said he knew many were feeling tired and anxious, especially after severe weather two weeks ago.
“I want to reassure you that council is doing everything it can to be prepared and to help get us through the weather that is still to come.”
Roading crews were out clearing debris and drains.
“We in council are prepared, we’ve got our emergency operations centre on standby should it need to stand up.”
“Far northerners are resilient, so preparing now will make a real difference so we can all make it through this.”
Brodie Stone covers crime and emergency for the Northern Advocate. She has spent most of her life in Whangārei and is passionate about delving into issues that matter to Northlanders and beyond.