Cyclone Pam in New Zealand

Cyclone Pam arrives in New Zealand

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MEDIA RELEASE: Be careful - Cyclone Pam arrives this evening - 15 March 2015 3.30pm

The north-east coast of Auckland and Great Barrier will be hit by severe weather this evening and general disruption is expected across the region.

Civil Defence Controller Clive Manley says Aucklanders are advised to exercise extreme caution. “Areas north of Whangaparaoa and Great Barrier have a good chance of river and stream flooding, strong winds, large swells, waves and coastal erosion. “If possible Aucklanders should reconsider their travel plans and work from home or delay their travel time to avoid expected traffic disruption tomorrow morning.

“Surface flooding and slips is likely to make driving difficult from tonight until Tuesday.” “There may also be local power cuts.”

Coastal erosion is expected in low-lying communities north of Whangaparaoa at high tide at 4am and 4.15pm on Monday. Communities with the highest risk include Orewa, Leigh, Omaha, Point Wells, Whangateau and Waiwera. Coastal roads on the Whangaparaoa peninsula may get flooded at Arkles, Matakatia and Hobbs bays.

“People in affected areas should have a battery-powered torch, radio, food, water and other essentials,” Mr Manley says. “If you live in a low-lying area prone to flooding, you should have a getaway kit ready in case you need to move to higher ground.”

Auckland Civil Defence Emergency Coordination Centre will continue to coordinate work with the emergency services, transport, telco and energy providers as required.

Detailed impacts

Great Barrier Island

1. Between 11pm and 6am, mean southeast winds are expected to be 110km/hr with localised gusts of 140km/hr possible. These should ease throughout Monday.
2. The heaviest rainfall is expected between 8pm tonight and 10am tomorrow; up to 75mm may fall in 15 hours.
3. The northeast swell will rise to between 6m and 8m overnight, then ease to between 4m and 6m on Monday afternoon. Combined waves are likely to peak between 8m and 10m for a short time around dawn on Monday.

Northeastern Auckland (north of Whangaparaoa)

1. Can expect periods of heavy rainfall between 7pm tonight and 9am tomorrow where up to 75mm in 15 hours may accumulate.
2. From this evening, southeast mean winds are expected to be 70km/h gusting to 90km/h rising to 90km/h gusting 120km/h until about dawn on Monday.
3. The northeast swell will rise to between 5m and 6m Monday morning and ease in the afternoon. Combined waves likely to peak between 5.5m and 7m briefly overnight.

Rest of Auckland

1. Periods of heavy rainfall and strong winds are likely to affect the entire Auckland region overnight and into tomorrow.
2. Rainfall totals are likely to be higher in the Hunua and Waitakere ranges.

Tides

High tides are forecast for 3.59am and 4.17pm at 3m on Monday (Auckland east coast). Forecast low pressures will increase these tides to around 3.4m plus the effect of combined seas.

If the severe weather hits:

• Stay at home and off the roads unless absolutely necessary.
• Power and phone services may be disrupted. Have a torch and battery-powered radio (or car radio) so you can listen to weather alerts. You also may want to have a gas cooker handy.
On the road drivers are urged to exercise caution:
• Headlights on.
• Drive to the conditions.
• Keep a safe distance from the car in front.

ENDS

Useful websites
• www.metservice.co.nz
• www.aucklandcivildefence.org.nz
• www.getthru.govt.nz

Download the free Auckland Council Civil Defence app via the app store on your iPhone and Android and stay up to date with accurate, timely and vital emergency information.

Fire Service gets ready for 

cyclone Pam

More than 70 firefighters and 30 appliances are moving into vulnerable North Island coastal areas, such as Northland, eastern Bay of Plenty, Hawke's Bay and Poverty Bay, as the bad weather approaches New Zealand.

The calm before the storm in Gisborne.

Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson

The Fire Service says deploying resources now will provide extra support for local crews and getting in early will enable a better response to any flooding.

Severe rain and heavy gales are expected this afternoon and tonight.

Has the cyclone begun to affect the weather where you are? Send your pictures to iwitness@radionz.co.nz

Civil Defence says the north-east coast of Auckland and Great Barrier will be hit by severe weather this evening as the remnants of Cyclone Pam work their way south.

And it says areas north of Whangaparaoa and Great Barrier have a good chance of river and stream flooding, strong winds, large swells, waves and coastal erosion.

Civil Defence said, if possible, Aucklanders should reconsider their travel plans and work from home or delay their travel time to avoid expected traffic disruption tomorrow morning.

Meanwhile, locals in Gisborne said they were bracing for Cyclone Pam by buying up water containers, batteries and filling gas bottles.

Pak 'n Save Manager Ewan Atherton says he has 25 tonnes of water ready to go for Pam.

Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson

Metservice said the cyclone had been downgraded to a category four as it approaches New Zealand's north-east, and is expected to hit tonight.

Weather Animation

The animation below is produced by Cameron Beccario using earth data from the Global Forecast System, operated by the US National Weather Service.

Civil Defence said latest forecasts showed the Gisborne, Hawke's Bay and Bay of Plenty areas would be the parts of the country hardest hit by the storm.

People in Gisborne said supermarkets and hardware stores had been in overdrive for the last two days, in a scramble to prepare for potential power cuts.

Tui Keelan stocking up at a Gisborne supermarket.

Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson

And store owners were also readying for gale-force winds, by strapping up and anchoring large outdoor equipment.

More on this story: Cyclone Pam: What you need to know

Civil Defence spokesperson Shona Morgan said Northland had rain and blustery winds overnight, and Metservice predicted this will intensify throughout the day and overnight.

Bay of Plenty Civil Defence group controller Clinton Naude urged people to be vigilant.

Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson

He said people needed to keep watching the weather forecasts and make sure they have plenty of emergency supplies.

Tauranga Mayor Stuart Crosby said sandbags were put in place and local infrastructure had been checked to handle the storm.

Mayor of Thames-Coromandel Glenn Leach said the area was bracing for the storm.

"We're just taking it as it comes but we're still saying to everyone be prepared, get three days of water and food, and gas, and batteries set up.

"Because it's only got to change course fractionally and we could be in for a hiding."

The cyclone has already caused widespread devastation in Vanuatu and destroyed many buildings in the country's capital Port Vila.

The video below shows the historic course of Cyclone Pam, then transitions to a projection of its expected path over the next few days

Watch a visualisation showing how Cyclone Pam formed

Boats at Gisborne Marina today