Severe impacts expected for Nelson Tasman
19 February 2018 - 1:00 PM

Residents are asked to prepare for a very severe weather event as Cyclone Gita crosses the Nelson Tasman region on Tuesday and into Wednesday.

Weather forecasters are expecting gale force winds, heavy rain and storm surge along the Nelson Tasman coastline.

Civil Defence warns residents to plan for storm surge effects similar to those seen with ex-Cyclone Fehi. Waves generated by the storm are likely along the entire coast and may impact into properties recently flooded by the Fehi storm.

As a precaution, residents in low lying coastal areas should consider staying with family and friends on Tuesday night.

Winds will be particularly strong during this storm – Metservice advises that in the 7 hours from 3:00 pm to 10:00 pm Tuesday severe gale east to northeast winds with damaging gusts of 140km/hr can be expected. This may topple trees and make driving difficult.

It is recommended that outdoor furniture (including trampolines) are secured and that you avoid parks and reserves due to the potential danger of falling trees and branches (this includes mountain bike tracks).

This storm will likely result in surface flooding on roads making travel around the region difficult. There may also be impacts on power and water.

As a precaution NZTA will be closing Rocks Road from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on Tuesday (3 hours either side of high tide).

Residents are asked to have emergency supplies and evacuation plans up to date. Information about this is contained here (http://www.nelsontasmancivildefence.co.nz/get-ready/get-ready-at-home/). It is also recommended that you check on your neighbours to make sure they also have plans for an emergency.

Civil Defence are pre-deploying staff to the Golden Bay area in case Takaka Hill Road is affected.

Property owners are reminded that Councils do not provide sandbagging for individual addresses - property owners need to make their own arrangements. Even large rubbish bags filled with soil can be used if sandbags are not available. There is some advice on sandbagging at this link https://youtu.be/-_T--I3b-34

Please follow Nelson Tasman Civil Defence on Facebook for general updates (Nelson Tasman Civil Defence Facebook Page). Nelson City and Tasman District Council Facebook pages and websites will have local updates on roading and other council services.

https://www.facebook.com/nelsoncitycouncil/
http://nelson.govt.nz/
and:
https://www.facebook.com/TasmanDistrictCouncil/
http://www.tasman.govt.nz/

Ends.

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