As severe weather sweeps the Gisborne region, Mayor Rehette Stoltz asks residents to “be vigilant” and “prepare”, with the weather expected to worsen this evening.
Metservice updated Gisborne’s heavy rain warning to red for north of Tolaga Bay this morning and to orange for the south of Gisborne.
A council-released statement said residents should be prepared for rivers and streams to rise quickly, “with a threat to life from dangerous river conditions”, flooding, slips and potential isolation of communities.
Travel disruption was also a possibility, along with power and communication outages and coastal surges in exposed areas, the release said.
In a post on Facebook at 4.55pm, Uawa Civil Defence told locals in low-lying areas- Mangatuna, Paroa, Mangaheia, Wharekaka, Kaiaua- to evacuate immediately.
“The Hikuwai river will become a threat late tonight and in the early hours of the morning, based on the forecast and modelling by [Tairāwhiti Emergency Management],” the post said.
A welfare centre was available at Tolaga Bay Area School for those who needed it.
Speaking with Local Democracy Reporting (LDR) earlier in the afternoon, Stoltz said Civil Defence had not asked anyone to evacuate at the time, unless they felt unsafe.
“If you feel unsafe, or you feel you want to evacuate to whānau or friends, especially before dark, please do so.”
For the north of Tolaga Bay, Metservice predicted 250-350mm of rain on top of what had already fallen.
Tonight, it is expected to worsen, with peak rates of 25-40mm/h in downpours.
South of Tolaga Bay is expected to receive 100-150mm of rain and peak rates of 10-20mm/h.
The warnings will stay in place until 11am Thursday for the north of the region, and until 10am for the south.
A wave warning had also been issued from Mahanga to Cape Runaway, with a northeast swell rising to between 3.5m and 4m.
This would be in place from Thursday, from 4am to 7pm.
Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) group manager Ben Green told Local Democracy Reporting that they were yet to see the “brunt of the weather” expected, but were prepared with all systems working as they should.
He said the weather they could see rolling through Coromandel was “the canary in the coal mine”.
“What’s rolling through is what we’re going to be getting here,” Green said.
There was “a very high probability of impact.”
He said the elevation of the weather warning to an orange and red meant “a higher risk index” and was not to be dismissed.
The council will close off several rural roads to heavy vehicles as a precautionary measure from 5 pm tonight until 11 am Friday (unless lifted earlier).
In the council statement, council director community lifeline Tim Barry said that the restrictions were an “early, preventative step,” and the council appreciated industry cooperation.
“When the ground is wet, heavy vehicles can cause serious damage,” Barry said.
“Acting early helps protect these roads, so they stay open and usable for our communities when they’re needed.
Barry said roads remained open for residents, but they did not encourage travelling.
“If it is essential, drive to the conditions and keep an eye out for slips, washouts and soft shoulders. If you see any damage, report it.”
Stoltz told LDR that she had spoken to Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery Mark Mitchell.
“He reassured me that he’s got our back,” she said.
During daylight hours, they wanted everyone to prepare their homes, including unblocking blocked drains or culverts.
“It will help later when there’s a lot of rain.”
There could also be power outages, so keep devices charged, Stoltz said.
Additionally, it was important to ensure you had enough stored water and food.
“So that if you are cut off for a day or two, you are fine.”
If needed, evacuation areas were ready.
However, as of 3pm, formally, no one was being asked to evacuate, she said.
“We are just saying to everyone, be vigilant.
“Look after your own whānau. Reach out to your neighbours, make sure everyone is aware of what is going on.
She said the council was still hoping it was not as bad as predicted.
The council, Tairāwhiti CDEM and partner agencies were taking precautionary steps, the council statement said.
This included moving resources and communicating with people in coastal communities.
Pre-checking the city’s stormwater and wastewater system, including back-up readiness, and clearing culverts and checking key routes across the local roading network.
Teams were also checking reserves and the Makorori Headland was currently closed, the statement read.
The council will close the following roads for heavy vehicles from 5 pm Wednesday to 11 am Friday (unless lifted earlier):
The closures will be reviewed as weather and road conditions change.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi had advised the council that it was withdrawing crews working from both ends of SH2 in the Waioweka Gorge.
If safe, it planned to resume work on Friday, the statement read.