Campers urged to move to higher ground

People in low lying coastal areas as being urged to move to higher ground before the weather packs it in tomorrow. File photo.

Campers in low-lying areas close to waterways and coastal areas in Hauraki are urged to consider moving to higher ground before the weather packs up tomorrow afternoon.

MetService is forecasting heavy rain and gale northeasterlies for the Coromandel from early Thursday afternoon into Friday morning.

Between 100 and 150mm of rain is forecast to fall over 12 hours from 1pm on Thursday, reaching peak intensity levels of 30-40mm.

Northeasterly winds are expected to become severe from Thursday evening until dawn on Friday, gusting to 120km/h in exposed places.

Although this is not an uncommon amount of rainfall for the Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato Regional Council regional hazards team leader Rick Liefting says it coincides with a king tide on Thursday evening, which will hinder the ability of fast-flowing coastal rivers and streams to run out.

'Combined with dry catchments there is the real potential for localised flooding and coastal inundation. That's because any rainfall is likely to run straight off the land and into our waterways, rather than being absorbed.”

Hauraki District Council Civil Defence Controller Steve Fabish says strong north-easterly winds and king tides may also be a recipe for flooding issues in susceptible areas of Hauraki such as Whiritoa, Miranda, Kaiaua and parts of East Coast Road.

'People in these areas should keep a close on the MetService for the latest weather forecasts as this weather system develops and be prepared with supplies in case they are cut off.

"They should also put some prior thought into where they might self-evacuate to, such as friends and family, in the event they have to leave their home.”

Throughout the wider Hauraki region people are urged to ensure any loose items, such as trampolines and umbrellas, are well secured or stored inside.

An online hub for rainfall and flood related information has also recently been set up by Waikato Regional Council to help people more easily keep up to date with severe weather events in the region.

It can be found at www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/flood-room

Latest weather forecasts are available at www.metservice.com

Regular updates will also be posted on our Council Facebook page as well as on our website www.hauraki-dc.govt.nz

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