Storm update - Sunday 13 February, 3.30pm

Update Sunday 13 February, 3.30pm

Surface flooding, slips and wastewater overflows have occurred at several locations in South Taranaki following heavy rain across the district preceding Cyclone Dovi.

Residents are advised to only travel if necessary and not to drive through flood waters as there could be debris or the road could have moved underneath. Please stay out of floodwater and rivers and treat all floodwater as contaminated and rivers as dangerous.

If you become trapped by floodwaters call 111 immediately.

Tropical Cyclone Dovi is expected to bring strong winds from mid-morning today. These south to southeast gales are forecast to be severe at times, with gusts reaching up to 130km/h. Strong wind gusts could damage trees, powerlines and unsecured objects. Driving may be hazardous, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.

Please tie loose objects down and clear anything around properties to ensure nothing can blow around and cause damage or injury.

Who to call

• If you become trapped by floodwaters, or life is at risk call 111 immediately.
• Fallen trees across local road, call South Taranaki District Council 0800111323
• Fallen trees across state highway - Waka Kotahi (NZTA) 0800 444 449
• Fallen trees on own property - insurance provider or 111 if life threatening
• Power outages - local power retailer
• Power lines down - Powerco 0800 27 27 27
• Flooding into your house - 111 and ask for Fire if you need assistance
• Flooding across local road - South Taranaki District Council 0800 111 323
• Flooding across state highway - Waka Kotahi (NZTA) 0800 444 449

Road Closures and Surface Flooding

Widespread flooding has been identified on Egmont roading networks. Surface flooding has been identified in areas around Ōpunakē, Te Kiri and just south of Eltham Road on SH45, Wiremu Road from Ihaia to Te Kiri, Oeo Road, Eltham and Kaponga.

The following roads are closed:

• SH45 closed between Rāhotu and Ōpunakē (diversion on Wiremu Road). Expected to be reopened at 6pm.
• Skeet Road, Pihama (Nopera Road and Patiki Road)
• Rawhitiroa Road – R19600
• Rawhitiroa Road – Mangamingi Saddle is blocked
• Rawhitiroa Road (between Pātea River bridge and Glen Nui Road)
• Glen Nui Road
• White Road (off Moumohaki Road, south of Waverley)
• Tangahoe Valley Road
• Morea Valley Road
• Waiteika Road (just 200 metres from the Eltham Road intersection)
• Makino Valley Road – near the end
• Sangster Road – open, with care

For up-to-date information on road closures/incidents on State Highways (SH3 and SH45) got to the Waka Kotahi NZTA website here.

Wastewater overflows

Due to today’s sustained heavy rain, wind and power outages as cyclone Dovi passed over us, we have had various wastewater overflows throughout the District

Warning signs were already up (York St Pātea, Mana Bay, Pātea Boat ramp, Tawhiti Stream Hāwera, Middleton Bay and Ōpunakē Lake) from last weekend’s event and are now also up for (High Street, Glover Road Hāwera and Conway Road Eltham) and will remain in place until levels are considered safe.

Please do not collect fish/shellfish and plant life or come into contact with the water at these locations.

As a general rule heavy rain flushes contaminants from urban and rural land into waterways and we always advise people not to swim in streams/rivers for at least three days after heavy or prolonged rainfall – even if a site usually has good water quality.

Crews and sucker trucks are onsite dealing with these issues as quickly as possible.

High Swells

MetService has also issued a wave warning for Mōkau to Cape Egmont. Waves are expected to rise to 4 or 5 metres on Sunday and these heights may be affected by the path of Cyclone Dovi. At this height advice is to be careful when at the beach and river mouths.

For weather forecasting information please see www.metservice.co.nz

Transfer Stations

Transfer Stations across the District are closed due to the severe weather we're experiencing.

Please keep away from Parks and Reserves

Due to the high winds we are experiencing, branches are coming off trees in our Parks around the District. Please keep away from these areas today.

Keep up-to-date

We recommend you keep an eye on our South Taranaki District Council facebook page and the Taranaki Civil Defence facebook page for information and updates over the weekend.

It’s also a good idea to download our Council Antenno App if you want to receive alerts/notifications to your mobile phone. It's incredibly easy to download and use.