Wild Weather: Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Waikato, Safety Advisory Issued

The MetService has issued a severe thunderstorm warning and is urging people to follow safety advice as the wild weather continues in Waikato.

They said this afternoon that the weather radar detected severe thunderstorms near Te Kauwhata, Meremere and Ohinewai.

These severe thunderstorms are moving to the southeast and are expected to strike the area between 1:00 PM and 1:30 PM.

A similar advisory has been issued for the Bay of Plenty and Otago.

This follows terrible weather across the country, including slip and flooding and damage in Dunedin.

READ MORE:
Weather: Floods and slips close roads in Bay of Plenty, Canterbury

“These storms are expected to be accompanied by torrential rains,” said a MetService spokesman.

“Torrential rains can cause surface and / or flash flooding in streams, gullies and urban areas, and make driving conditions extremely dangerous.”

A similar warning remains in effect for Auckland, Coromandel, broader Waikato, Waitomo, Taumaranui, Bay of Plenty, Rotorua, Taupo, Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, and Taihape.

The National Emergency Management Agency warns that as storms approach you should:

– Seek shelter, preferably indoors, away from windows;

– Avoid taking shelter under trees, if you are outside;

– Return to land, if you are outdoors in the water;

– Move cars under cover or away from trees;

– Secure any loose objects around your property;

– Check that the drains and gutters are clean;

– Be prepared to slow down or stop if you are driving.

During and after the storm, you should also:

– Watch out for downed trees and power lines;

– Avoid streams and drains as you can be washed away by a flash flood.

The warning will be updated before 2pm

Slips and floods close state highways

Slips and flooding have forced the closure of several sections of State Highway 2 in the Bay of Plenty and Gisborne areas.

And the storm has caused damage in Dunedin.

The road between Taneatua and Waimana is closed due to a slip.

And the heavy rains have caused flooding, completely closing the road between Opotiki and Gisborne.

NZTA said there was no proper detour available, and motorists should consider delaying any trips.

A third section of the road between Nukuhou and Kutarere is also closed, as is its detour route.

The weather is wreaking havoc across the country.

There are also floods in Otago and Canterbury.

The SH83 between Aviemore and Otematata in Canterbury will be closed until Sunday January 10th due to flooding.

“There is a detour route available and suitable for all vehicles,” said an NZTA spokesperson.

“Take extra care on all roads and plan ahead if you intend to travel the network today.”

The latest Dunedin City Council update revealed the extent of the meteorological slaughter.

“Heavy rains have caused some damage to the city and the region, however, stormwater and transportation networks have performed well given the level of rain we are experiencing,” said a post on the Facebook page of the organization.

“Our contractors are working on the cleanup, however there is still a risk of more rain and thunderstorms later today.

“We will continue to monitor the situation, but there have been some minor slips and downed trees so please be careful on the roads.

“Avoid traveling around Henley as the contractors are clearing up the debris.”

Sandbags are now available at Dunedin Ice Stadium and the Mosgiel Memorial Park parking lots.

A water tanker and more sandbags will be available to Middlemarch residents in the Strath Taieri Community Room this afternoon.

Sandbags will also be available there.

Middlemarch residents are cautioned that they can resume flushing their toilets, but the water may be contaminated.

“The heavy rains that continue overnight may have caused the sewage system to overflow in some places and there may be overflows on the roads,” Dunedin City Council said today.

“People should stay away from floods and treat them as polluted.”

Before 9 a.m., a second warning was issued for drivers to proceed with caution on the roads of Otago.

“Tourists planning to return home, or resume their vacation and travel further afield today in Otago, are advised to check the road conditions before leaving,” said Matt Alley, controller for the Emergency Management Otago group.

“Three state highways remain closed in the region at 8 am, with numerous local roads also affected by surface flooding, slips, landslides and debris.

“In addition to the road problems, some city councils also issued boil-water advisories for communities whose water supplies had been affected by the floods,” he said.

“As people look forward to resuming their travels this morning, we recommend that they check road conditions before leaving, abide by all road closures and detours, and allow additional time to navigate to their destination.”

Festival goers stranded

Two hundred people were stranded after rising waters from the Silverstream disrupted the Whare Flat Folklore Festival, northwest of Dunedin yesterday.

Festival organizer Kathryn Olcott said the ford at Silverstream Valley Rd was closed and festival goers at the site would not be able to leave until this morning.

Some festival goers managed to get out before the closing of the ford shortly after noon yesterday.

The festival’s last night of performances would be held today, he said.

Campers stranded as roads close

With two of the three highway routes leaving Opotiki closed, some visitors to the eastern city of the Bay of Plenty are unable to leave.

Tirohanga Beach Motor Camp manager Julie Munro said the weather and road closures had caused inconvenience for those looking to travel today.

“People have just arrived now, but there were some people who couldn’t get through before and now they have to wait,” he said.

She said the camp had not been flooded.

“It has stopped raining, people are still wet, but the sun is shining brighter. It will be nice, we are sure.”

He said the interruptions had not affected the good humor of the travelers.

“Everything is an integral part of the camp.”

Opotiki Mayor Lyn Riesterer said it had rained a lot overnight and encouraged drivers to be patient.

“It must have been quite heavy in the hills because even though it rained a lot here in Opotiki, it was not a heavy rain,” he said.

“[Motorists] you need to make sure that they are not trying to cut any slips and that they take their time to wait and make sure it is safe.

“I think most of the people traveling from Gisborne, from Rhythm and Vines, had already done so, but our camps are pretty full.”

Riesterer said she could think of worse places to get stuck than Opotiki.

“Check out the i-Site and get the up-to-date information you need. Go and enjoy the city and the museum.”