HBCDEM Group supporting Wairoa and Hastings districts response
Hawke’s Bay Civil Defence and Emergency Management (HBCDEM) is keeping an eye on Wairoa as it manages the fallout from
this week’s watery deluge.
A significant amount of rain is forecast for the district later today and tomorrow, and lesser amounts for the rest of
Hawke Bay. The western parts of the Wairoa district have had between 200 and 300mm of rainfall over the past 48 hours.
An updated heavy rain warning remains in place for Hawke’s Bay from 9am today until 3pm tomorrow, with up to 180mm of
rain expected to accumulate on top of what has already fallen about the ranges north of Napier, and up to 100mm
elsewhere.
Of most concern to Wairoa is rural communities, and schools, particularly those which have buses. The Ministry of
Education has been kept up to date and is working with schools to manage the situation. This rain is expected to
continue into tomorrow afternoon and people are urged to reconsider non-essential travel, particularly on roads north of
Napier.
The team is also supporting the Hastings District Council, which is keeping an eye on the swell and its effects on the
Haumoana and Te Awanga coastline, predicted to drop from a high of 5m today, to between 3.5m and 4m tomorrow.
We are also expecting strong wind gusts along coastal areas from the early hours of tomorrow morning. Please be aware
that the amount of rainfall so far this week means trees could be in danger of toppling or damaging power lines.
For more information on getting ready to get thru a civil defence emergency visit www.hbemergency.govt.nz or visit Hawke’s Bay Emergency on Facebook.