02 May 2023 | 01:43 AM UTC
New Zealand: Adverse weather forecast over scattered parts of North Island and western South Island through at least May 5
Severe weather forecast over parts of western and northern New Zealand through May 5. Flooding and associated disruptions possible.
Event
Severe weather is forecast over scattered parts of North Island and western South Island through at least May 5. As of early May 2, the Meteorological Service of New Zealand (MetService) has issued the following watches and warnings:
Orange Heavy Rain Warning (the middle level on a three-tier scale): Bay of Plenty east of Te Kaha, Fiordland north of Doubtful Sound, Gisborne north of Tokomaru Bay, Tasman northwest of Motueka, and Westland south of Otira. The heaviest rainfall of up to 45 cm (18 inches) is forecast over the ranges of Westland.
Yellow Heavy Rain Watch: Bay of Plenty from Rotorua to Te Kaha, Buller south of Karamea, Northland, Taranaki about and north of the mountain, and Tongariro National Park.
Yellow Strong Wind Watch: Fiordland north of George Sound and Westland south of Fox Glacier.
Authorities will likely issue new alerts or update/rescind existing advisories as weather conditions change over the coming days.
State Highway 34 was closed north of Valley Rd, Kawerau early May 2 due to a landslide; authorities have reopened one lane with stop-go traffic management in place. State Highway 1 between Kitchen Rd and Makene Rd through the Mangamuka Gorge and State Highway 25A between Kopu and Hikuai are also closed due to landslides and damage. State Highway 2 remains closed between Eskdale and Tutira and at the Waikare Bridge due to damage caused by Cyclone Gabrielle. The Whakatane District Council has reported power outages in Awakeri, Coastlands, and Poroporo. Two schools in the eastern Bay of Plenty are closed as of early May 2.
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 airports across the affected region. 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.
