Concerns have been raised about the Wairoa River, seen in 2023. (File photo) Photo: Hawke's Bay Civil Defence Emergency Management Group
Civil Defence is urging people in Wairoa to avoid all non-essential travel, as severe weather has led to debris and fallen rocks on the roads.
Gale force southerlies are lashing the district, where a heavy rain warning remains in place until midday on Saturday.
Civil Defence local controller for Wairoa, Juanita Savage, said officials are monitoring the river levels closely.
"It is fortunate that we have the Wairoa River bar is currently open, the big widening end, and the water is flowing through there.
"Issues may occur with the high sea swells expected this evening."
"On the ground in Wairoa the FENZ swift water team has come to support our local crews here. We're really concentrating on preparedness, especially from lessons learned from the June floods and even going back to Cyclone Gabrielle."
Savage said this morning there was some minor surface-flooding around low-lying areas of Kopu Road.
"The town is okay at the moment but I know we've got concerns out at the Nūhaka mouth opening there and the Māhia Peninsula," she said.
"Another thing too with the wind picking up is we're stressing to people if you don't need to travel stay home. Because what we're finding is there's a lot of debris, fallen rocks all happening all around our connecting roads."
Savage said people should also check the guttering and drainage around their properties to alleviate any further rainfall.
"We've had a high volume of rain already, it's going to be rain falling on top of rain. Council contractors are out and about as well as the roading teams, but if everybody can help, all the better."
Savage said this morning there was some minor surface-flooding around low-lying areas of Kopu Road.
The warnings come after two months worth of rain fell over the Gisborne/Tai Rāwhiti and Wairoa districts since Boxing Day.
MetService meteorologist John Law said people could expect 100-130mm of rain in Wairoa district, on top of what had already fallen - especially about the ranges - with peak rates of 10mm/h.
Parts of the eastern side of the North Island saw more than 100mm of rain in the tops of the ranges in the last 24 hours, and about 70mm fell in Gisborne city, he said.
The rainfall added to an already wet month, at a time when the average at this time of year should be about 55mm.
There was more wet weather forecast for the start of next week, he added.
Gisborne police told drivers to avoid the Wharerata Road area due to high winds. The road was impassable due to fallen trees in many places.
Police urged drivers to avoid the area if possible and only travel in there if essential.
Ferry passenger injured, cars damaged
An interisland ferry passenger has been injured and cars have been damaged during a rough Cook Strait crossing this morning.
A KiwiRail spokesperson said the Kaitaki left Wellington at 8.45am and experienced significant rolling about 10.30am when it passed near the Karori Lighthouse.
The spokesperson said some passenger vehicles shifted and suffered minor damage. One passenger suffered a minor injury and was given medical assistance by the crew.
Were you on the ferry? Email us at iwitness@rnz.co.nz
Interislander is supporting affected customers and a full assessment is being carried out.
Two other Interislander ferry crossings - the 6.15am from Picton and the 11am return service - were cancelled today, as strong winds pummelled central New Zealand.
Meanwhile, Interislander has provided passengers with tips to avoid seasickness for other sailings.
It said anyone who was worried about seasickness should sit at the back of the ship and should not sail on an empty stomach.
Bluebridge said the stormy weather had forced the ferry operator to cancel its two Picton-bound services, and three Wellington-bound services for Friday.
It had put on four additional sailings for this weekend, and rescheduled some services, to accommodate those who could not travel today.
Strong winds warning
A lingering low-pressure system is bringing rain or showers to many parts of New Zealand, with thunderstorms, large swells and strong winds affecting the centre of the country.
️ Why is it so windy in the North Island today? ️
— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) December 27, 2024
Blame the pressure gradient! A deep low to the east & high pressure to the west mean tightly packed isobars = strong winds.
Good news: the low is moving east, so winds will ease overnight into Saturday. pic.twitter.com/22w4bbdjb4
Strong wind watches remain in force for the following areas:
- Kāpiti Coast, Wellington and coastal Marlborough, including the Sounds; to 2pm Friday
- Taranaki and western parts of Whanganui; to 2pm Friday
- Coastal areas of Hawke's Bay and Gisborne/Tairāwhiti; to 4am Saturday
Heavy swells warning
MetService warned that southerly and south-west winds may approach severe gales in exposed places.
In a post on social media, MetService said large, powerful, four-metre southerly swells were impacting the south and east coasts of the North Island.
Mōrena, good morning Aotearoa New Zealand.
— MetService (@MetService) December 26, 2024
The sun is streaming in over the majestic peaks of Milford Sound this morning.
Strong Wind Watches are in force, as a deep low is directing southerly gales over central New Zealand.
️An Orange Rain Warning remains in force over… pic.twitter.com/jI9lg38Xmn
There was a heavy swell warning in place for Wairarapa (Turakirae Head to Mataikona) until 9pm Friday.
Large swells - rising to 3 to 4 metres - would be accompanied by large wind waves that would peak around high tide before easing overnight, MetService said.
These would gradually ease overnight into Saturday morning. The highest risk period would be around high tide on Friday afternoon, the forecaster added.
Power outages
In Auckland, several parts of West Auckland are without power this afternoon.
Lines company Vector's online outage map shows a number of streets are without electricity.
A business on Morus Road said power has been out for properties in the area since about 1pm.
RNZ has approached Vector for more information.
Other power outages have been confirmed:
- 6678 customers lost power at 6.07am today after a tree went through lines on the corner of Francis and Rapanui roads, Whanganui, in high winds. Power was progressively restored, with all affected customers' power reconnected by 8.17am.
- Power was restored at 10am to 998 customers who lost power in Castlecliff just before 6am today after a fault on a power pole in Karewa St during windy conditions.
- 565 customers in the Blairlogie-Langdale Rd and Riversdale Beach areas of Wairarapa lost power just after 10.04am after a branch blew into lines in high winds. Power was restored to all customers by 11.30am.
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