A powerful storm is set to impact the Coromandel from Sunday with MetService issuing a severe weather warning. Heavy rainfall and gale force N/E winds will build from Sunday afternoon and intensify through Monday, before easing on Tuesday.
Metservice says a large, deep, complex low pressure system will move slowly southeast towards northern New Zealand on Sunday, with an associated front moving onto Northland from Sunday night. This system moves slowly southeast onto the North Island during Monday, with heavy rain and easterly gales preceding the front. Large waves are also expected to affect eastern coasts of the upper North Island.
Orange warnings for heavy rain and severe easterly gales are now in force.
Between 7pm on Sunday, October 29, until 1pm Monday, October 30, the Coromandel Peninsula is expected to receive 100 to 150 mm of rain with thunderstorms possible. Severe gale easterlies gusting 120 km/h are expected in exposed places.
Thames-Coromandel Civil Defence Controller Garry Towler says this event could be significant, more so for those on the eastern side of the Coromandel.
“There are a combination of factors that are adding to our concerns about this event,” he said. “It is the remnants of a cyclone, we have king tides, storm surge, heavy rain, gale force winds and ongoing land instability issues as a result of Gabrielle.”
Residents are being urged to take the following measures 48 hours before the storm arrives to prepare for the storm:
⛈️ Stock up on supplies, batteries and gas, check and clear drains in your neighbourhood.
⛈️ Tie down outdoor furniture.
⛈️ Review plans should you become isolated due to slips and flooding.
⛈️Those living close to the sea need to prepare for wave surge by having a plan B and somewhere to go, especially if the surges increase during the main high tides: 8am and 8pm Sunday and 9am and 9pm Monday.
The Thames-Coromandel Civil Defence Team has been activated and will provide regular updates during the next few days.
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• TCDC Facebook page
• MetService New Zealand
• Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency Waikato BoP
• Powerco
