14 Feb 2023 | 04:40 AM UTC
New Zealand: Adverse weather forecast across North Island and northern South Island through at least Feb. 15 /update 3
Severe weather due to Cyclone Gabrielle forecast across northern and central New Zealand through Feb. 15. Widespread disruptions reported.
Event
Heavy rainfall and strong winds are forecast to continue across New Zealand's North Island and northern South Island through at least Feb. 15. Subtropical Cyclone Gabrielle is forecast to track east-southeastward Feb. 14, passing north of East Cape the evening of Feb. 14, before moving southeast away from the North Island to track northeast of the Chatham Islands late Feb. 15. Impacts from Gabrielle were felt across much of the North Island from late Feb. 12, and further significant rainfall and damaging winds are forecast across parts of northern and central New Zealand through Feb. 14.
As of early Feb. 14, the Meteorological Service of New Zealand (MetService) had issued the following weather warnings across the affected area:
Red Strong Wind Warnings (the highest level on a three-tier scale): Northland; Taranaki.
Orange Heavy Rain Warnings: Gisborne; Hawke's Bay, especially about the ranges; eastern Marlborough south of Blenheim, including the Kaikoura Coast; Mount Taranaki; and Wairarapa, including the Tararua District.
Orange Strong Wind Warnings: Coromandel Peninsula; Horowhenua; Kapiti Coast; Marlborough; Nelson southeast of Mapua, including Nelson Lakes; Wairarapa, including Tararua District; and Wellington.
Orange Heavy Swell Warnings: Wairarapa from Turakirae Head to Mataikona.
Yellow Heavy Rain Watches: Canterbury Plains and the foothills north Rakaia River.
Yellow Strong Wind Watches: Chatham Islands; Gisborne.
Authorities will likely issue new alerts or update/rescind existing advisories as weather conditions change over the coming days.
As of Feb. 14, officials have declared a national state of emergency; the declaration applies in regions that have declared local states of emergency, including Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Hawke's Bay, Northland, Tairawhiti, and Waikato, as well as the Tararua District. Authorities have reported that one firefighter is unaccounted for after two houses collapsed in a landslide in Auckland Region's Muriwai Feb. 13. Officials are urging residents on Motutara Road and Domain Crescent in Muriwai to evacuate. Around 50 people from 33 households in the Mt. Eden area of central Auckland have been evacuated due to concerns that a nearby steel tower may collapse, and multiple homes in Birkenhead on the North Shore were evacuated due to falling trees. Around 500 homes in coastal areas of Opotiki District in the Bay of Plenty Region were evacuated due to the threat of coastal flooding, and other evacuations were reported in low-lying areas of Whangarei and Waikato districts. Some residents in low-lying areas of Gisborne were asked to leave their homes due to rising river levels, and locals are urged to conserve water due to a break in Gisborne City's water supply. Authorities in Hawke's Bay are urging all Waiohiki, Omahu, Taradale, Jervoistown, and Meeanee (south and east of Anderson Park) residents to evacuate immediately due to the Tutaekuri River flooding. The lower Waipawa area has been preemptively evacuated due to the increasing levels of the Waipawa River. The Defence Force is helping residents in Esk Valley in Napier to evacuate due to floodwaters cutting off access. Authorities are urging people across the North Island to shelter indoors until the worst of the weather has passed.
More than 100,000 homes were without power across the North Island as of early Feb. 14. Transpower declared a grid emergency following the loss of power supply to Hawke's Bay and Gisborne. Power outages may continue for days to weeks.
Auckland Airport (AKL) has stated that 301 domestic flights were canceled Feb. 13, while 85 out of 104 international flights remained grounded. Air New Zealand (NZ) restarted flights early Feb. 14 after 592 flights were canceled Feb. 12-13; more than 35,000 customers were affected. Flights are scheduled to resume at all airports apart from New Plymouth (NPL), Hawke's Bay (NPE), and Gisborne (GIS) airports. Flights disruptions are likely due to high winds; Auckland Airport (AKL) temporarily paused flights early Feb. 14. Additional flight disruptions are likely as airlines work to clear backlogs.
Multiple state highways across the North Island are closed due to severe weather, flooding, and landslides. For more information on the latest situation regarding road closures, click here. Flooding and landslides have also cut off many communities in Auckland, Bay of Plenty, the Coromandel Peninsula, Gisborne, Hawke's Bay, and Northland.
Some bus and rail services have been canceled in Wellington Feb. 14, as well as East by West ferry services. Interislander services across the Cook Strait are canceled from 02:00 Feb. 14, while the Picton Port is also closed through at least 22:00 Feb. 14 due to high wind and swell conditions.
Hazardous Conditions
Sustained heavy rainfall could trigger flooding in low-lying communities near rivers, streams, and creeks. Urban flooding is also possible in developed areas with easily overwhelmed or a lack of stormwater drainage systems. Sites located downstream from large reservoirs or rivers may be subject to flash flooding after relatively short periods of intense rainfall. Landslides are possible in hilly or mountainous areas, especially where the soil has become saturated by heavy rainfall. Additional power outages are possible in areas impacted by the weather system.
Transport
Floodwaters and debris flows may render some bridges, rail networks, or roadways impassable, impacting overland travel in and around affected areas. Ponding on road surfaces could cause hazardous driving conditions on regional highways. Authorities could temporarily close some low-lying routes that become inundated by floodwaters. The disruptive weather may cause additional delays and cancellations at regional airports. Flooding could block regional rail lines; freight cancellations are possible in areas subject to heavy rainfall and track blockages.
Disruptions triggered by inclement weather and resultant hazards, such as flooding, could persist well after weather conditions have improved; it could take days before any floodwaters recede and/or officials clear debris. If there is severe damage to infrastructure, repair or reconstruction efforts may result in residual disruptions.
Advice
Monitor local media for weather updates and related advisories. Confirm all transport reservations and business appointments before travel. Make allowances for localized travel delays and potential supply chain disruptions where flooding has been forecast or reported. Do not drive on flooded roads. Charge battery-powered devices in the case of prolonged electricity outages.
