More bad weather anticipated for Peninsula

Wild weather has continued to thrash the Thames-Coromandel, with the district council reporting more than 400mm of rain fell in just 72 hours during the first week of January, closing main roads and causing slips.
Another ex-tropical system, Cyclone Hale, is now expected to dump a further 230mm of rain in 24 hours, with easterly gales and gusts exceeding 110km/hr, peaking Tuesday and passing through by Wednesday afternoon.
Coupled with this, Thames-Coromandel District Council’s coastal scientists forecast storm surges of up to 30cm or more above the three high tides over this time.
“We are not sugar coating this one, it will hit hard and likely cause coastal damage as well as the usual slips, surface flooding, and power outages” council’s civil defence controller Garry Towler said.
“The main areas of concern are erosion and inundation at Brophy’s and Buffalo beaches in Whitianga, erosion and structural damage across beaches all the way down to Whangamatā.”
All residents and holiday makers are urged to find somewhere safe and secure tonight and to be prepared to “hunker down for 24 hours or longer”. 
“Use the time today to stock up on supplies, tie down outside furniture, clear drains and set up to be safe by dark,” Mr Towler said.
TCDC Mayor Len Salt added to the warning, advising that: “tomorrow morning will likely dawn with slips, road closures and power outages, so avoid any travel until you have checked on the road conditions.
“Stay off the beaches and away from waterways, they will be dangerous, especially around high tide at 10am.”
According to MetService, Cyclone Hale is expected to move south as a subtropical low on Tuesday, bringing severe weather to parts of northern and central New Zealand on Tuesday and Wednesday.
DETAILS: Refer to https://www.metservice.com/warnings/home for the latest information on Severe Weather Warnings and Watches.