As the situation on the Coromandel Peninsula grows, we are tracking it live. Rather than many articles, we will update here for easy checking and returning for the latest information.
8:09pm: Feedback on Facebook / General public
8:05: Radio Hauraki reports: !! warning !! Colourful language
8:00pm: Flooding across SH25 at Manaia
There are now reports of flooding across SH25 at Manaia, south of Coromandel Town.
Please avoid any unnecessary travel. We still have more rain on the way. If you need any help or assistance, please read the update below.
7:00pm: Message from the District Council
We are now asking you to please stay off the roads.
If you anticipate you may be at risk due to rising water levels, then now is the time to evacuate to friends or family who are on higher ground.
Whitianga residents: a Civil Defence Centre (CDC) will open at Crossroads Church (2 Joan Gaskell Drive, Whitianga) from 8pm to provide emergency accommodation and a place to seek help during the event. The centre will be staffed by a skeleton crew to assess demand. If it is safe to do so, we encourage people to stay at home. If you need to evacuate, please bring your go-bag and a sleeping bag. If there is no demand, the centre may close later in the evening. Contact details will be posted at the entrance for anyone who needs accommodation after 10pm.
We do not anticipate needing to open other CDC’s throughout the district.
If you need urgent emergency assistance overnight because of an immediate threat to life or property, call 111.
5:00pm: Coastguard update from Whitianga – drifting CAT under control
Coastguard called after catamaran loses propulsion in Whitianga Harbour
4:30pm: Between Whiritoa and Whangamata, this is farmland / now river
Video from Facebook/Whangamata page
3:44pm: Council update – updated road closures
Road closures
- Kennedy Bay Road – Near Mangatu Road / School RP
- Blackjack Road, closed at Otama Beach (Flooding) and SH25 Intersection
- Hot Water Beach Road – Road Closure set up at the SH on Hot Water Beach Road and again at Purangi Road/Hot Water Beach Intersection (Flooding)
- Colville Road- south of Colville Store
- Waikawau Bech Road – Waikawau Beach Road
- Kaimarama Road – Start of road
- Hikuai Settlement Road
- Waterways Parade – roundabout entering Pauanui
- Purangi Road
- Opoutere Road – Start of Opoutere Road
- The 309 Road – Outside Peninsula Quarry – RP 19840 (Whitianga Side)
- Wentworth Valley Road
2 roads are flooding but passable with 4wd
- Pepe Road – water contaminated.
- Paku Road – House 146 – Road surface to lift approximately 250mm
3:15pm: Tree down in the Karangahake Gorge
There is a tree down blocking the Karangahake Gorge, near the pub at Waikino.
3:10pm: Latest METservice forecast for the country
3:04pm: District council has sandbags available
Sandbags are available for Thames-Coromandel residents affected by flooding from this weather event.
Anyone concerned about their property, especially those in low-lying areas or near waterways who haven’t already evacuated, can pick up sandbags from the following locations:
Thames
Sand available at – Shoppers Car Park, Queen St
Bags available at TCDC office, Mackay St
Whangamatā
Sandbags available at – Whangamatā Fire Station, Cnr Port and Oceans Rds (but you will need to fill these yourself)
Coromandel Town
Sandbags available at James Drainage, 1020 Tiki Rd
Whitianga
Sandbags available at old fire station, 20 Monk St
However, we urge you to please avoid travel unless it is necessary and safe to do so.
3pm: PredictWind rain forecast for the next 24 hours
Wednesday 21 January, 2:01pm
Update from District Council:
Stay out of floodwaters.
Flooding across the district is causing wastewater pump stations to overflow. As a result, all surface and flood water should be treated as contaminated. Please stay out of flooded areas and avoid contact with standing or flowing water.
Water supply impacts
Water treatment plants at Matatoki, Puriri and Omahu may need to shut down temporarily to clean filters due to high sediment levels in streams and rivers.
A water tanker has been set up in Puriri, located outside the Puriri Hotel, to support the Thames Valley area where water supply may be disrupted.
Road closures
There are currently 11 roads closed due to flooding:
-
Kennedy Bay Road, near Mangatu Road / School
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Blackjack Road, closed at Otama Beach
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Hot Water Beach Road, closed at SH junction and Purangi Road intersection
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Colville Road, south of the Colville Store
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Waikawau Beach Road
-
Kaimarama Road, at the start of the road
-
Hikuai Settlement Road
-
Waterways Parade, roundabout entering Pauanui
-
Purangi Road
-
Opoutere Road, at the start of the road
-
309 Road, outside Peninsula Quarry (Whitianga side)
Roads are flooding but passable with 4WD only
-
Pepe Road (water contaminated)
-
Wentworth Valley Road
Please avoid unnecessary travel, follow road closures, and take care around waterways. Conditions may change rapidly.
