Photos and updates are also being posted on our Council Facebook page
Update: 6pm Thursday 4 January
Heavy rains, high winds, king tides.
Heavy rains and high winds along with a king tide expected at 9.30 could cause flooding issues in susceptible areas of Hauraki such as Miranda, Kaiaua, parts of East Coast Road, and Whiritoa.
Remember that outdoor furniture, trampolines, etc can become missiles in high winds. Secure outdoor items by tying down or taking indoors and turn your trampoline over in advance.
Are you prepared? Follow the helpful tips listed earlier to be prepared and stay informed.
Update: 2.45pm Thursday 4 January
Ready to rock
Rocks in place at Kaiaua's Anaru Bay ready for tonight's forecast heavy rain, gale force winds and king tide. Contractor is now headed up East Coast Road with more rocks to beef up the Waharau Bridge.
Stay informed
- Listen to the radio. We work with Radio New Zealand, Newstalk ZB, Classic Hits, Coromandel FM, Gold FM, Kool FM, Big Valley Radio, and Nga Iwi FM.
- www.frequencyfinder.co.nz - Find radio frequencies in your area.
- Go Online.
- www.metservice.com - Latest weather forecasts.
- www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/flood-room - An online hub for rainfall and flood related information has recently been set up by Waikato Regional Council to help people more easily keep up to date with severe weather events in the region. This website also has links to Civil Defence information and contacts.
- www.facebook.com/haurakidistrictcouncil - Regular updates will also be posted on our Facebook page and our website.
If life or property is threatened call 111
Update: 1.20pm Thursday 4 Jan
Storm protection preparations are underway at Kaiaua's Anaru Bay
Rocks are currently being put in place to help protect East Coast Road between Kaiaua school and Whakatiwai from tonight's anticipated heavy rain and king tide combo. The road will be down to one lane for the next few hours. We appreciate your patience while this work is carried out.
MetService is forecasting heavy rain and gale northeasterlies for the Coromandel from early this afternoon into Friday morning.
Although this is not an uncommon amount of rainfall for the Coromandel Peninsula, it coincides with a King tide on Thursday evening which will hinder the ability of fast-flowing coastal rivers and streams to run out and may be a recipe for flooding issues, particularly in susceptible areas of Hauraki such as Whiritoa, Miranda, Kaiaua and parts of East Coast Road.
Be prepared
- Campers in low-lying areas close to waterways and coastal areas are urged to consider moving to higher ground.
- Keep a close eye on the MetService website (see link below) for the latest weather forecasts as this weather system develops.
- Be prepared with supplies in case you are cut off. More information on what you will need is on the Thames Valley Civil defence website.
- Put some thought into where you might self-evacuate to, such as friends and family, in the event you have to leave your home.
- Check our Facebook page and website for updates on other evacuation options, should the storm cause issues.
- Sandbags are available at the Kaiaua fire station
Stay informed
- Listen to the radio. We work with Radio New Zealand, Newstalk ZB, Classic Hits, Coromandel FM, Gold FM, Kool FM, Big Valley Radio, and Nga Iwi FM.
- www.frequencyfinder.co.nz - Find radio frequencies in your area.
- Go Online.
- www.metservice.com - Latest weather forecasts.
- www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/flood-room - An online hub for rainfall and flood related information has recently been set up by Waikato Regional Council to help people more easily keep up to date with severe weather events in the region. This website also has links to Civil Defence information and contacts.
- www.facebook.com/haurakidistrictcouncil - Regular updates will also be posted on our Facebook page and our website.
Update: 4.20pm Wednesday 3 Jan
Heavy rain and wind warning for Hauraki and Coromandel
Happy campers in low-lying areas close to waterways and coastal areas in Hauraki are urged to consider moving to higher ground before the weather packs up tomorrow afternoon.
Metservice is forecasting heavy rain and gale northeasterlies for the Coromandel from early Thursday afternoon into Friday morning.
Between 100 and 150mm of rain is forecast to fall over 12 hours from 1pm on Thursday, reaching peak intensity levels of 30-40mm. Northeasterly winds are expected to become severe from Thursday evening until dawn on Friday, gusting to 120km/h in exposed places.
Although this is not an uncommon amount of rainfall for the Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato Regional Council regional hazards team leader Rick Liefting says it coincides with a king tide on Thursday evening which will hinder the ability of fast-flowing coastal rivers and streams to run out.
"Combined with dry catchments there is the real potential for localised flooding and coastal inundation. That’s because any rainfall is likely to run straight off the land and into our waterways, rather than being absorbed."
Hauraki District Council Civil Defence Controller Steve Fabish says strong north-easterly winds and king tides may also be a recipe for flooding issues in susceptible areas of Hauraki such as Whiritoa, Miranda, Kaiaua and parts of East Coast Road.
"People in these areas should keep a close eye on the MetService for the latest weather forecasts as this weather system develops and be prepared with supplies in case they are cut off. They should also put some prior thought into where they might self-evacuate to, such as friends and family, in the event they have to leave their home."
Throughout the wider Hauraki region, people are urged to ensure any loose items, such as trampolines and umbrellas, are well secured or stored inside.
