The most dangerous period is expected around 2pm today – it will be high tide, and the centre of the cyclone will be across Tauranga.
Once flooding begins, roads may become unsafe or impassable very fast. Act quickly to self-evacuate if you feel unsafe. Tauranga residents living in coastal and low-lying areas that have flooded before should seriously consider self-evacuating now.
If self-evacuating, please seek refuge with friends or whānau first. Several marae are open to provide shelter and support, an Evacuation Centre is open at Whakamarama Hall, and further Evacuation Centres will open at Mercury Baypark at 8am and Matua Bowling Club at 9am. A full list of marae is available at www.tauranga.govt.nz/weatherevent.
Avoid unnecessary travel, stay informed through official updates, and take care of your friends and whānau.
Strong winds and power outages
Based on the current MetService warnings, strong winds are set to continue until 8pm today, with damaging gusts of up to 130km/h possible in exposed areas.
This level of wind poses a serious risk to life from flying debris and falling trees and creates dangerous driving conditions. Destructive winds can cause widespread damage, including to powerlines and roofs, and may lead to power and communication outages.
There are already some parts of the city without power. Prepare now for possible power outages by charging devices, keeping phone use to a minimum, and thinking ahead about how you would manage if power or communications were disrupted. You can stay up to date by listening to a battery-powered radio or your car radio and checking official social media channels.
Should you lose power, keep freezers closed and turn off major appliances to prevent damage when power is restored.
You can find the most up to date power outage information at www.powerco.co.nz.
Coastal and harbour flooding and landslip risk
Based on the current MetService warnings we are still expecting heavy rain until 4pm today. We’re also expecting inundation in low-lying harbour and coastal areas. Even after the rain eases, streams and rivers can continue to rise, so please take extra care.
If you see rising water, do not wait for official warnings. Head for higher ground and stay away from floodwaters.
Avoid unnecessary travel as flooding and fallen trees means it is highly likely that some low-lying roads will be closed today.
Do not try to walk, play, swim, or drive in floodwater – even water just 15 centimetres deep can sweep you off your feet, and half a metre of water will carry away most vehicles. Never try to drive through flood waters – if you come to a flooded area, turn around and go another way. Flood water is often contaminated and can make you sick.
With the amount of rain Tauranga has had in recent weeks, there is an increased risk of landslips and ground movement, including in areas affected before. These risks can remain even after rain eases. Learn about landslide warning signs here.
Report any issues
In an emergency, call 111. If you spot surface flooding, blocked/damaged roads and walkways, or fallen trees, please contact Council on 07 577 7000 and provide the exact location.
Where to find official information
Council weather event hub: www.tauranga.govt.nz/weatherevent
Road closures and slips: NZTA Journey Planner
Emergency information: https://www.facebook.com/BOPCivilDefence
Weather updates: www.metservice.com