23 JUNE
2008

Canterbury Civil Defence monitoring upcoming winter storms

The Canterbury Civil Defence Emergency Management Group is advising all residents in the region to prepare for winter storms after MetService released a severe weather outlook for this week.

Jon Mitchell, the Canterbury Emergency Management Planner, says that the current forecasts indicate very cold weather is expected to hit Canterbury. The Canterbury Emergency Coordination Centre and local authority emergency management offices throughout the region are monitoring the situation.

“It is impossible to forecast snow with 100 percent certainty but we do know it will be very cold this week. People need to be prepared for these colder temperatures,” Jon Mitchell said.

It is a good time to stock up on batteries, food, water for at least three days or more, and if you have a gas barbecue, ensure the bottle is full, he said. Check where candles and torches are kept so if the electricity is out, those items are easy to find.

Drivers are advised to take special precautions by slowing down and avoid night driving if possible. People considering going over the mountain passes should take chains with them in case of snow and to check the latest weather forecasts before traveling.
For more information, go to the www.getthru.govt.nz

ENDS

© Scoop Media