Residents asked to conserve water at Coromandel Town, Matatoki, Puriri and Omahu
Power out for some residents
Wild weather has caused many issues across the North Island, flooding roads and smashing boats at sea as the remnants of ex-tropical cyclone Lola sweep across the country.
The Coromandel Peninsula started the day under a heavy rain warning but MetService has since issued a heavy rainwatch for the 11 hours from 9am to 8pm.
It forecast frequent showers and said rainfall amounts could approach warning criteria.
“Note that while broad scale warning amounts of rain are no longer expected there may be heavy showers which could boost rainfall rates to 10 to 20 mm/h today.”
MetService initially warned heavy rain could cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly.
Surface flooding and slips were also possible and driving conditions could be hazardous.
Kauaeranga River. Photo / Waikato Regional Council
Thames-Coromandel District Council emergency and crisis manager Garry Towler said this morning the weather was causing issues with the roads on both sides of the peninsula.
He said there was a slip on SH25 at Ruamahunga Bay and a crew would be arriving soon.
The flooding at Hikuai between Whangamatā and Whitianga had not subsided overnight and high tide was due soon.
He told RNZ there was another full day of rain ahead, “close to 450mm for this event”, and advised residents to “hunker down, avoid travel and ride this thing out.”
Waka Kotahi said just before 10am that flooding had receded sufficiently for SH25 between Tairua and Hikuai to now reopen. Motorists were asked to please take extra care with debris on the road through this area likely.
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On other sections of SH25, motorists were asked to drive with caution as surface water remained in many areas and there could be debris on the road.
Meanwhile, the Karangahake Gorge Rd is about to be closed as work begins on a slip from overnight, TVNZ’s Breakfast reports.
Sixty-eight properties in Paeroa lost power last night, according to Powerco, and on the Coromandel Peninsula more than 20 properties were still in the dark, mostly in Coromandel Forest Park.
RNZ reported 280 properties lost electricity in the Coromandel and Bay of Plenty areas.
The Thames-Coromandel District Council this morning issued the following roads update:
Hikuai Settlement Rd is open.
Maramarahi Rd is open.
Kauaeranga Valley Rd is closed at the ford 8.7km from the start of the road.
Colville Rd is open to one lane.
Old Maratoto Rd (south of Thames) remains closed at the ford due to flooding.
Victoria St, Thames, remains closed due to surface flooding at the second ford 900m from the start for the road.
Tapu-Coroglen Rd remains closed due to the ongoing repair work from Cyclone Gabrielle damage.
The council said it had had reports of people moving signs and taking traffic management into their own hands.
Flooding at Kaiaua. Photo / Waikato Regional Council
“Please leave it to our roading contractors. If you spot any issues on roads report them to 0800 Highways (for State Highways) or our council’s call centre for local roads on 07 868 0200.”
Coromandel Town residents have been asked to conserve water for approximately the next 24 to 48 hours.
The council said the heavy rain yesterday and overnight had caused the stream it draws water from to carry a heavy sediment load. This meant the water treatment plant had to be shut off at times or process at a much slower rate due to the additional sediment in the water.
“If residents can be mindful of their water use at this time, it would be much appreciated.”
A water tanker would be set up in Coromandel Town for residents to use should water supply be affected.
Kauaeranga Valley Rd. Photo / Waikato Regional Council
Meanwhile, Matatoki, Puriri and Omahu residents are also asked to conserve water for approximately the next 24 to 48 hours.
A water tanker has been set up in Puriri for residents.
The Waikato Regional Council said last night the heavy rain had caused some localised flooding in the Coromandel Peninsula (Tairua River), and Hauraki areas (Kauaeranga River).
“Localised inundation (wave overtopping) has occurred, with impacts seen at Brophy’s Beach Whitianga, and Kaiaua near the boat ramp. With further rain forecast, further localised flooding may occur or continue, especially near high tide tonight and tomorrow morning.”
The Pinnacles rain gauge had recorded nearly 280mm of rain over a 24-hour period (as at 7pm), which was between two and five-year Average Return Interval.
“Our Hauraki Zone remains activated in response to the localised flooding. Staff will be ramping up efforts to manage the impacts of the flooding.
“Predicting additional impact areas remains difficult due to the dynamic nature of this event. With more rain, and convective (thunderstorm) forecast, there remains a high possibility of localised flooding, and land slips in the Coromandel Peninsula and Hauraki areas.
“While the impact to the region’s west coast, specifically the Port Waikato area, is not likely to be as severe as in eastern areas, caution should still be given to already land slip prone areas due to possible localised heavy rain (thunderstorms) and severe winds causing tree fall.”
The regional council said its Whitianga office had reopened to the public this morning after having to close yesterday. “With it being the last day for rates payments, we’ve already had a number of customers arrive.”
