24 Feb 2023 | 06:18 AM UTC
New Zealand: Severe weather forecast over North Island and far northeastern South Island through at least Feb. 26 /update 1
Severe weather forecast over northern New Zealand through at least Feb. 26. Evacuations ongoing.
Event
Severe weather is forecast over North Island and far northeastern South Island through at least Feb. 26. A low-pressure system over North Island is likely to persist over the coming days before tracking away to the south late Feb. 25. As of Feb. 24, the Meteorological Service of New Zealand (MetService) has issued the following watches and warnings:
Orange Heavy Rain Warnings (the middle level on a three-tier scale): Coromandel Peninsula, Gisborne, Hawke's Bay. The heaviest rainfall of 15-20 cm (6-8 inches) is likely about the ranges and north of Hastings.
Yellow Heavy Rain Watches: Auckland, including Great Barrier Island, Bay of Plenty about and west of Te Puke, eastern Marlborough south of Ward, eastern ranges of Taihape, Waikato north of Hamilton, and Wairarapa including the Tararua District.
Red Severe Thunderstorm Warnings: Auckland City, Kaipara, Rodney, Waitakere, and Whangarei.
Yellow Severe Thunderstorm Watches: Auckland, Great Barrier Island, and Northland.
Authorities will likely issue new alerts or update/rescind existing advisories as weather conditions change over the coming days.
Former Cyclone Gabrielle impacted northern and central New Zealand Feb. 12-15, causing widespread flooding and landslides. As of Feb. 24, disruptions are still ongoing. Further rainfall will likely hamper recovery efforts or lead to additional evacuations and disruptions.
As of Feb. 24, around 500 people in Auckland are without power. Authorities evacuated 64 homes in the Mangahauini River catchment and Tokomaru Bay Township in Gisborne as a precaution due to the risk of failure of the debris dam upstream of the township. Around 30-40 houses in Esk Valley, Hawke's Bay, have also been evacuated as a precaution.
Authorities have extended the state of emergency over Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Hawke's Bay, Northland, Tairawhiti, and Waikato regions and the Tararua District through at least Feb. 27. Reports indicate nine fatalities in Hawke's Bay and two firefighters dead in Auckland. The death toll will likely rise as links are re-established with remote towns cut off by the storm.
Wairoa District Council has advised residents to continue conserving water. Tuai Village remains under a boil water notice. Gisborne remains in a water crisis; extreme alert level water restrictions are in place. Water can only be used for essential activities.
Several West Harbour Ferry services are canceled Feb. 24 due to hazardous conditions. Multiple state highways across the North Island remain closed due to severe weather, flooding, and landslides. For more information on the latest situation regarding road closures, click here.
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.
