Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

Roads in Thames and Kaiaua were damaged following the storm earlier this year. Photo: David Van't Wout.

Storm conditions and king tides are set to collide for the second time in less than a month, but early indications are that the impact will be less intense this time.

The latest information from MetService suggests a loitering low could bring a short sharp sting to the Firth of Thames on Thursday afternoon.

This is expected to pass late Friday but it will bring some rain and wind to coincide with high tides at 8.45pm on Thursday and again at 9.20am on Friday.

Hauraki District Controller Steve Fabish says the Council is continuing to work with Waikato Regional Council, MetService and Niwa to monitor things closely.

'It's anticipated this storm will not be as big as the previous one, but if you are in vulnerable coastal areas such as the Kaiaua Coast and, to a lesser extent, Whiritoa, there's no harm in being prepared.

"Have you got a plan? Do you have supplies and medication to last for a few days should you be cut off? Have you thought about where you might self-evacuate to, such as friends and family, in the event you have to leave your home."

Other things to think about and plan for, in case they are needed, could include lifting things off the floor, covering gully traps and septic tank mushrooms with plywood, disconnecting and raising water pumps, putting plywood in front of exposed windows, moving vehicles to higher ground, and filling sandbags, which are available as usual from the Kaiaua Fire Station.

In Ngatea, Waikato Regional Council has almost finished raising stop banks half a metre on the town side of the Piako River after flood waters threatened to top them during the January storm.

This work will be complete by Thursday evening.

And while it's expected the impact on the Eastern seaboard will again be minimal, Fabish says the Regional Council will also clear the entrance to the Whiritoa lagoon and unblock the blow hole if needed.

Stay informed:

An online hub for rainfall and flood related information has been set up by Waikato Regional Council to help people more easily keep up to date with any 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

Local radio - Check stations and frequencies www.waikatoregioncdemg.govt.nz/NewsandEvents

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

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