Watch NZH Local Focus: Coromandel Mayor urges locals to stay vigilant

Thames & Coromandel District Mayor Sandra Goudie says locals should brace themselves for more wild weather for the rest of the week.

"It's really important that you make sure that your guttering and stormwater systems are all clear. So where you think you might have any blocked drains, or blocked culverts, anything around your property, urban or rural, get out there and make sure the water can run freely."

But Mayor Goudie says people in the area are resilient.

"The locals are rallying around and helping out. They're bending over backwards to support others and that's what you do."

Mayor Goudie has been in touch with central government to inform them of the current situation in the region.

"Everywhere throughout the district we have people that are on standby with civil defence and emergency services. Fire, St. John, the police."

Several slips have been reported in Whiritoa and people have been evacuated from their homes in Onemana and Tairua.

"We were fortunate that we could get into Thames this afternoon, the rain did ease off for a while. But we can't get into Whangamata, we can't get into Pauanui and Tairua, places blocked either side of Whitianga. There are a number of places like that."

Mayor Goudie couldn't get to work herself this morning, but has been able to get to Thames with the recent opening of SH25.

She urges locals to stay safe on the roads and be vigilant as more wild weather prepares to hit the upper North Island.

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