The warning applies from 9am Wednesday until 3am Thursday. The message is clear: put safety first, do not take chances, and move quickly if water levels rise. Avoid walking, swimming, playing, or driving through flood water. Non-essential travel should be avoided. Residents are advised to bring pets indoors, shift livestock to higher ground where possible, keep a grab bag close, and be ready to evacuate if required.
Update: A precautionary state of emergency has been declared across the Thames-Coromandel district.
For boaties, caution is critical. This is not a day to be on the water unless absolutely necessary. Avoid tender trips if you can. If you live aboard, remaining on your vessel may be safer than moving ashore, unless conditions worsen or authorities advise otherwise.
The scale of the rainfall is already visible. In Whangamatā, the local golf course is now flooded, quickly becoming an unwanted water feature as rain continues to fall.
Emergency services are on standby across the region. Anyone in immediate danger should call 111.
Earlier today RNZ shared a video as roads started to be cut off by rising water.
Boating New Zealand is collecting information from the water and shoreline. If you have photos, damage reports, or first-hand accounts from the Coromandel, Auckland or Northland, please email and share with us: ahoy@boatingnz.co.nz
