Source: Radio New Zealand
State Highway 1 is closed at the slip-prone Mangamuka Gorge in the Far North as a safety precaution. Supplied/NZTA
States of emergency have been announced for the Whangārei District and Far North District with several communities isolated and more heavy rain to come.
The states of emergency will be in effect for seven days beginning Thursday 26 March at 2pm.
Far North District Mayor Moko Tepania said this would give the district extra power to respond to this weather event.
“With the high tide due within the next few hours for both the east and west coasts, we know other low-lying Far North communities will also be affected.”
“Kaitaia and the wider Te Hiku community are now isolated due to flooding”
State Highway 1 at Mangamuka had also been closed due to flooding, and Tepania said there were also widespread minor issues due to fallen trees and localised flooding.
“Our main message today, whānau, is please don’t go out. Stay at home and stay in touch with your whānau and friends to make sure they’re safe.”
He said for those who were isolated or concerned about being cut off there were multiple marae open and activated.
“Our greatest concern this afternoon and into tonight is the east coast, from Doubtless Bay across Whangaroa and the Bay of Islands, which are under the red heavy rain warning. This area is expected to receive up to 322mm of rainfall before tomorrow morning.”
Far North civil defence controller Alistair Wells said with increased levels of rainfall the high tides was also going to increase throughout the afternoon.
“Due to stormwater inundation in a number of our wastewater plants, we have a number of problems from Hīhī down to Paihia. So keep away from the beaches, please keep away from any waterways.”
Whangārei District Mayor Ken Couper also explained the state of emergency was an important step.
“Declaring an emergency is a step under our legislation which allows Civil Defence to access to emergency powers, granting authority to protect life and property in emergency events under the Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Act 2002.”
Northland east of Kaikohe from Doubtless Bay to Whangārei is under red heavy rain warning until 4am Friday.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
