Cyclone Gabrielle updates

The Metservice has issued a strong wind warning for Taranaki from 6pm Monday to 10pm Tuesday.

Expect: Southeast winds are forecast to be severe at times, with gusts reaching 120 km/h in exposed places, turning severe southerly gale gusting 120 km/h Tuesday morning, but damaging gusts of 130 to 140 km/h or higher are expected at times during Tuesday morning.

These winds are expected to produce widespread damage, especially to trees and powerlines and could lift roofs. Transport and power networks are likely to be significantly impacted, with road closures and power outages. Conditions will be hazardous for motorists and there is a danger from debris and falling trees or branches.

• Avoid driving if you don’t need to. There is lots of debris on the roads and wind gusts can make driving hazardous.
• Tie down large items, like trampolines and outdoor furniture. If you can, turn trampolines upside down to minimise the risk of lifting. If debris has blown onto your property, please secure it safely if you can.
• If you have any welfare concerns, please contact the Taranaki Emergency Management Office on 0800 900 049
• Check on your neighbours to see if they are ok.
• Be prepared for possible power outages by stocking up on torches and batteries, ensuring cellphone batteries are charged and BBQ gas bottles filled, and having bottled water on hand if you rely on a pump. Find out more here: https://www.powerco.co.nz/outages/storm-ready
• For more information on how to prepare for a storm go to www.getready.govt.nz/
• Call us on 0800 111 323 if you notice any issues on our roading network

Update - Wednesday 15 February, 11.00am

• All Council facilities are open today as usual.
• Roading crews are out clearing roads of debris.
• Ngutuwera Road (Waitotara) is closed while a tree is being cleared. A lot of trees/debris have come down on Rawhitiroa Road as well, so extreme care needed. SH3 (south of Eltham between the township and Maata Road) is now open with restricted speed.
• Some areas/properties in South Taranaki remain without power. Properties without power should contact their own power providers in the first instance. You can find out more here https://www.powerco.co.nz/outages/
• If you have any welfare concerns, please contact the Taranaki Emergency Management Office on 0800 900 049

Free Disposal for Storm Related Greenwaste

South Taranaki District Council’s infrastructure services group manager Herbert Denton says the Council is removing fees for storm-related greenwaste at all transfer stations across the district for a week ending on Wednesday 22 February.

Mr Denton says the district experienced some pretty wild weather over the last couple of days and this would help get things tidied up in the aftermath.

The free disposal of storm-related greenwaste at the transfer stations starts today (Wednesday 15 February) and continues until close of business on Wednesday 22 February.

Mr Denton emphasised the fee exemption is for storm-related greenwaste only and says there are certain things which must not go in the greenwaste as they can't be broken down.

“We accept untreated branches up to 10cm in diameter and general garden waste and leaves. We can't take flax, cabbage tree leaves, treated timber, sawdust, rubble and soil in our greenwaste disposal."

Update - Tuesday 14 February, 5.10pm

General

• Cyclone Gabrielle is still with us and the MetService has extended its red wind warning until 10pm tonight for our District with gusts of up to 120km/h expected.
• So, let’s continue to look after each other and stay safe at home.
• Our roading crews are continuing to clear roads while it’s still light and safe to do so.
• Our water and wastewater networks are running as normal.
• Those services that were closed today (see list below) will return to normal operating hours tomorrow.
• We will continue to monitor the cyclone and advise any updates.

Facilities closed today but open tomorrow (Wednesday 15 February)

• All rural swimming pools (Waverley, Pātea, Eltham, Rawhitiroa, Manaia, and Kaponga)
• Manaia, Kaponga, Eltham and Waverley LibraryPlus centres

Kerbside collection - Rubbish, recycling and greenwaste

• If your collection day was today (Tuesday 14), this will be rescheduled for Saturday 18 February.
• Tomorrow's kerbside collection is running as per normal. Please put your bins out Wednesday morning, not tonight.
• All Transfer Stations will return to normal operating hours tomorrow.

Welfare

• If you have any welfare concerns, please contact the Taranaki Emergency Management Office on 0800 900 049

For more information

• Follow Taranaki Emergency Management’s Facebook
• South Taranaki District Council Facebook
• You can find the latest weather forecast from MetService

Road Closures

• SH3 (south of Eltham between the township and Maata Road) is closed due to a tree blocking both lanes. Detours are expected to be in place until midnight. Please take care if driving.

South Taranaki District Council Services Cancelled - Tuesday 14 February

As a precaution the following services have been cancelled tomorrow:

• Today's (Tuesday 14 February) Kerbside rubbish/recycling/greenwaste collection has been cancelled (this collection day was for half of Hāwera). A catch-up day for today's missed collection will be held on Saturday.
• All Transfer Stations normally open have been closed (that is Hāwera and Eltham)
• All rural swimming pools (Waverley, Pātea, Eltham, Rawhitiroa, Manaia, and Kaponga) are closed.
• Manaia, Kaponga, Eltham and Waverley LibraryPlus centres are closed. Hāwera LibraryPlus is closing at an earlier time of 5pm.
• Vehicle access to Hāwera Cemetery has been shut today - pedestrian access is still available.
• We expect (assuming the weather doesn't get worse and calms down overnight as expected) that facilities will be open as normal Wednesday 15 February, including kerbside waste collection. Please keep an eye out on our website and facebook for any updates.