Weather update - 5 January 6pm
NZ Transport Agency has advised us that the Thames Coast Road (SH25) is now passable from Te Puru north, but remains
closed between Te Puru and Tararu. There is severe damage to the road at Whakatete Bay.
MetService has lifted its heavy rain warning for the Coromandel but forecasts that rain will continue to fall this
evening. The strong winds are forecast to ease this evening.
Tonight's high tide between 10:30-11pm is expected to be another king tide, and there is the potential for more flooding
along the coast of the Firth of Thames.
We're currently assessing damage from this morning's flooding to roads and property.
We're asking people to call 111 if they are in danger. Also: stay off the roads please and don't undertake any
unnecessary travel.
If you can't access your home, seek assistance from your neighbours. Call our Customer Services line on 07 868 0200 to
register your need for long-term welfare support if your home is uninhabitable.
In the Thames area, sandbags are available the Broadspectrum depot on 100 Burke St for anyone who needs them until 6pm.
Te Puru Community Hall is open for anyone whose home was flooded or stranded motorists. About 60 people are there but
many have chosen to leave with the Coast Rd now passable to the north.
Powerco was planning to cut power to several streets in Te Puru while issues around live electricity in flooded houses
were sorted. Those streets are Aputa Ave, Sarjants Rd, Tatahi Street, Seaview Crescent. Powerco had no timeframe for the
restoration of power to these streets.
Powerco is also reporting the outage in Opito Bay affecting 245 properties should be resolved by 8pm. Equipment there
has been damaged.
Click here for further updates and information from Powerco.
The Pauanui water treatment plant is closed due to too much turbidity and sediment in the water, which prevents
treatment. We’re asking residents and visitors there to conserve water until we can resume treatment - once the stream
runs clear after the rain eases. There are no issues with wastewater contamination - the wastewater treatment plant is
in operation and has had no leakages.
The Whitianga Ferry service is back in operation.
On Council roads, Port Jackson Road is closed north of Urarima Stream (approximately 8.5km north of the Colville Road
intersection) due to the high sea level, however we expect it to be reopened later today once the tide recedes and
debris removed.
Colville Rd is open to one lane after a slip and is expected to be open to two lanes tomorrow
Several roads in Thames are closed: Davy Street, Amy Street, Beach Road, Brown Street and Fergusson Drive.
Trees have been cleared fro Wentworth Valley Rd, Opoutere Rd and Pauanui Waterways.
SH25 at Kuaotunu is open to one lane while a tree is cleared.
We've had a report that the car park surface at Thames Wharf where it meets the wharf structure has been damaged.
Thames Centennial Pool is closed. We hope to have it open tomorrow.
The following public toilets are closed: Waikawau, Tapu, Te Puru Boat Ramp, Te Puru Domain, Adams Rd in Thornton Bay.
Hannfords Wharf is closed until it can be inspected by a marine engineer tomorrow. Coromandel Wharf appears OK but will
be inspected tomorrow. A number of private jetties leading off the main wharf there have been damaged and appear unsafe.
DOC has confirmed the Pinnacles Hut is open. The road is open with some metal washout but still driveable for two wheel
vehicles.
Water supply to Hikutaia has been restored but will take time to build up pressure.
The Thames to Kopu and Kopu to Kaiaua sections of the Hauraki Rail Trail are likely to be closed due to damage to the
foreshore stopbanks along which it runs. That damage will be inspected next week.
If you must travel, check NZTA's website first for the latest information about road closures. You can also use their journey-planning website www.onthemove.govt.nz to plan the best route for your journey, taking into account known issues and traffic on state highways.
We'll also include updates on known local Council road closures here. If you see a Council road that is impassable due to flooding or a debris, call us on 07 868 0200.
The next high tides are due this evening at:
Whitianga
Friday 5 Jan at 22:28
Thames
Friday 5 Jan at 22:57
To report a power outage, contact Powerco.
Check MetService for the latest weather forecasts.
Waikato Regional Council has set up an online hub for rainfall and flood related information to help people more easily
keep up to date with severe weather events in the region.
It can be found at waikatoregion.govt.nz/flood-room
We will post regular updates on our Council's Facebook page as well as on our website and email newsletters.
We still have a Total Fire Ban in place until at least 8 February, which includes bonfires and fireworks. See www.tcdc.govt.nz/fire for more information.
The rain should help replenish reservoirs and water tanks, but we're still facing water restrictions due to high use and
also filtering sediment and silt that will be coming through from this weather event. We will be reassessing the
reservoir levels within the next 24 hours to see if restrictions need to be changed. See what restrictions apply on our
website www.tcdc.govt.nz/water.
The Sol3 Mio concert in Whangamata is scheduled to go ahead this evening after it was postponed from yesterday.
Click here to view the events on around the Coromandel and refer to specific sites for cancellation details.