Category: Civil Defence

Sunday 16 Jan – last updated 7:33 am

NATIONAL ADVISORY: TSUNAMI ACTIVITY – EXPECT STRONG AND UNUSUAL CURRENTS AND UNPREDICTABLE SURGES AT THE SHORE

Update: Tsunami activity continues to be observed.

We expect New Zealand coastal areas on the north and east coast of the North Island and the Chatham Islands to experience strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges at the shore following a large volcanic eruption at Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’pai in Tonga.  

Strong currents and surges can injure and drown people. There is a danger to swimmers, surfers, people fishing, small boats and anyone in or near the water close to shore. 

People in or near the sea should move out of the water, off beaches and shore areas and away from harbours, rivers and estuaries until this Advisory is cancelled. 

STAY OFF THE BEACHES AND SHORE AREAS

There is no need to evacuate other areas unless directly advised by local civil defence authorities. Coastal inundation (flooding of land areas near the shore) is not expected as a result of this event.  We are advising people to:

• Move out of the water, off beaches and shore areas and away from harbours, rivers and estuaries.
• Do not go to the coast to watch the unusual wave activity as there may be dangerous and unpredictable surges.
• Listen to local civil defence authorities and follow any instructions.
• Share this information with family, neighbours and friends.

Strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges have been observed on tsunami gauges and the threat must be regarded as real until this Advisory is cancelled.

This National Advisory has been issued following advice from GNS Science. This is the largest eruption from Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’pai Volcano so far, and the eruption is ongoing. The situation may change as new information becomes available. Listen to the radio or TV for updates, or check www.civildefence.govt.nz

Afternoon Aucklanders,

There is a high risk of extreme rainfall today (Wednesday) and tomorrow across the Auckland region prior to the arrival of tropical cyclone Cook.Some residents in parts of Auckland – in particular Gulf Islands, Maraeta, iBeachlands, Kawakawa Bay, , Clevedon, Waiheke and South Auckland are urged to prepare for strong winds in addition to bursts of heavy rain and coastal storm surges over the next two days.

Current forecasts show the cyclone arriving around midday Thursday however, keep an eye on updated forecasts throughout the day as this may change.

If your property is at risk of flooding or slips, consider ahead of time whether you need to stay with friends or family for the duration of this storm event. If there is an immediate risk to life or property at any time, contact emergency services on 111.
Some communities may be isolated due to the impacts of this weather event and the following tropical cyclone Cook.

If you must travel:

• Consider postponing non-essential travel
• Always drive to the weather conditions and never drive through floodwaters.
• If you get stuck in a flood, get out of your car and move to higher ground immediately, taking great care in the floodwaters.
• If driving at night, drive slowly, especially through flood-prone areas as you may encounter flooding at short notice.
• If your property or area may be affected by slips or power outages, prepare for the possibility that your road access may be cut off and ensure you have food and provisions on hand in case of isolation.
• Never attempt to drive over slips and treat power lines as live at all times.
• Report blocked drains, flooding and trees down on public land to the council on 09 301 0101.

Check on neighbours and family, especially if they are in at risk areas or might be affected by flooding or slips.

Please take care and keep an eye on your community.

Sincerely,
Auckland Civil Defence and Emergency Management

Significant weather now impacting the Auckland Region. 

A near-stationary line of downpours is likely to continue producing high intensity rainfalls, 25-45 mm/hr over the next 3-4 hours, and potentially longer.

There is real concern for rapid and extreme rainfall accumulations and associated localised flooding in the next few hours, while these downpours are slow-moving.

If your life is at risk dial 111. For any non urgent calls contact 09 301 0101.

If your property or suburb is flood prone

Make sure drains and gutters are cleared
Report any blocked or overflowing public street drains – see the AucklandCouncil website for more information.
Move any items in flood-prone areas somewhere they won’t get wet or damaged.
If your property or suburb may be affected by slips or power outages

Prepare for the possibility that your road access may be cut off.
Ensure you have food and provisions on hand in case of isolation.
Never attempt to drive over slips.
Treat power lines as live at all times.
Drive to the conditions

Never drive through floodwaters.
Avoid areas where flooding has occurred and, if roads are closed, observe road closures at all times.
If stuck in flood waters, get out of your car and move to higher ground as quickly as possible.

[from Russell Green, Chief Fire Officer, Puhoi Fire Brigade]

We need to find a new person to take over from Kath Anderson, who took over from Sue Tisdal, as the CD head person in Puhoi – the Emergency Response Group (ERG) leader.

My name is in the document [Puhoi Community Response Plan – DRAFT v1.0 (pdf)] in this position just so we could keep it current but I can’t do this role as well as being the Fire Chief.

It’s not a big role- the only outstanding thing I think needs doing is arranging phone trees.

All enquiries to me in the first instance please,

Thank you,

Russell

021655461