Kia Orana koutou,
Below is an update on the summary of the impacts we have been made aware of in Northland over the course of the day.
CIRTICAL ISSUES
- Northland CDEM have posted online through our Facebook page encouraging people to travel home sooner rather than later as the effects of the consistent rain are likely to greatly affect road access more so as we head into the night.
- Of the 41 sites NRC hydrology are monitoring, eight have more than 120mm of rain since midnight with the Whakapara site at Puhipuhi having received the most rainfall of 172mm of rain.
- Numerous surface flooding, small slips and trees down in the Far North and Whangarei – contractors are on site and clearing these as quickly as possible, more detail below.
WEATHER
MetService update is no change from the update at 1020 25 July 22 For further information click here.
MetService currently anticipate a further 60 to 90 mm of rain to accumulate on top of what has already fallen about north-eastern areas north of Whangarei, and 40 to 70 mm of rain elsewhere over the next 12 hours. Peak intensities of 10 to 15 mm per hour, but 20 mm per hour possible in localised areas this afternoon. Additionally the wind warning is still in place until 7:00 pm Monday, of Severe northeast gales gusting 120 km/h in exposed places.
POWER
Top Energy – Currently there are approximately 11 sites affected (as shown online) Main issues are fallen trees across the Far North.
Northpower – Several faults on the HV electricity Network. We are expecting further faults for as long as the storm persist. Currently faults are spread across our Network and the situation is dynamic. The main fault currently is the 33kV line to Ngunguru. Field crews have been deployed, to isolate / make safe and repair, but the current conditions are not ideal. There is likely to be LV Network and customer’s service lines faults. Likely to have most HV faults repaired tonight based on the weather easing. Generation may need to be deployed to support Ngunguru sub.
ROADING
New Zealand Transport Association (NZTA)
There have been a few trees down over the course of the afternoon which NZTA are staying on top of. Currently all state highways remain open, however, with approaching high tide we’re monitoring coastal inundation around Paihia and we’re also monitoring river levels at the hotspots. NZTA will have staff on site should any rivers flood affecting the roads, to ensure that either people can pass safely or to close the road as required. Note: CDEM have someone investigating a report of coastal inundation at Paihia.
Report from Northland Transport Alliance (NTA)
As the rain has not yet eased up and continues to cause issues on the networks, NTA are looking to provide a further update early tomorrow morning. Contractors will be continuing to work and patrol the network into the afternoon.
NTA have a number of roads still closed in both Far North and Whangarei. Of particular interest due to traffic volumes is Ngunguru Road, Whangarei where an overslip which was being cleared has dropped further debris and trees onto the road. We are hopeful a lane will be opened this evening, however, it is likely the road will remain closed overnight with traffic detouring through Kiatea Road.
Far North:Please see roading update attached labelled Severe Weather – 25.07.2022 NTA SitRep where there are roads closed or passable with caution or restrictions.
Whangarei:
- Please see roading update attached labelled Severe Weather – 25.07.2022 NTA SitRep where there are roads closed or passable with caution or restrictions.
Kaipara:
- All roads in Kaipara are open according to the information we have at hand.
Police
Nothing to report
FENZ
Main responses have been for trees down, power lines arcing and potential roofs lifting – nothing that is of major concern or in any particular concentrated area.
District Updates
Far North: Weather has affected the area specifically in relation to power for waste water sites, homes, and some businesses. A majority of power outages in the Bay of Islands areas have been restored except for a few locations, these being: Kerikeri, Opononi, and Paihia as the larger areas. This is has had an effect on the waste water pumps throughout the day and some organisations reverting to generation to maintain outputs.
Whangarei: Currently only experiencing road closures as listed on their Facebook page listed here: https://www.facebook.com/WhangareiDC
Kaipara: No issues at this stage.
NRC HYDROLOGY
The information below is correct as at 1630hrs 25 July 22.
The rainfall has been continuing consistently on the east coast of Northland ranging from 10 to 40mm of rainfall in the last 3 hours. NRC Hydrology are continuing to monitor the system as it makes it way South. However, MetService are still forecasting more rain for the next few hours heading into this evening.
Rainfall totals last 24 hours :
Rainfall Accumulation Full Period (0005 24-07 to 1605 24-07)
Rainfall Accumulation 12 hours (0405 25-07 to 1605 24-07)
River Level updates:
| District | Status | Alarm/Warning_Details |
| Far North | Water level at Kaeo at Fire Station is 3608 mm. This is above the first warning level of 3500 mm | Warning: Likely flooding across SH10 |
| Far North | Water level at Kaeo at Waiare Road is 3885.5 mm. This is above the first warning level of 3500 mm |
Warning: SH10 downstream may flood in around 3 hours (time varies) |
| Far North | Water level at Oruru at Saleyards is 4424 mm. This is above the first warning level of 3500 mm |
Warning: Flooding: Taipa, Fern Flat, Mangonui |
| Far North | Water level at Punakitere at Taheke is 3242.5 mm. This is above the alert level of 2800 mm |
Alert: Approaching warning threshold for SH12 flooding West Taheke |
| Far North | Water level at Te Puhi at Meffin Rd is 3275 mm. This is above the alert level of 3000 mm |
Alert: Potential flooding on Meffin Rd |
| Far North | Water level at Victoria at Double Crossing is 6263.5 mm. This is above the alert level of 6000 mm |
Alert: Potential Larmer Road overflow in 6 hours with further river increase |
| Far North | Water level at Waiaruhe at Puketona is 4117.5 mm. This is above the alert level of 3500 mm |
Alert: Approaching warning threshold for flooding Top Energy depot, keep watch |
| Far North | Water level at Waiharakeke at Willowbank is 3742.5 mm. This is below the alert level of 4000 mm |
Approaching alert level of 4000mm |
| Far North | Water level at Waitangi at SH10 is 5073.5 mm. This is above the first warning level of 4000 mm |
Warning: Potential Flooding at Top Energy if Waiaruhe at 4.3m |
| Far North | Water level at Waitangi at Waimate North Rd is 5808 mm. This is above the alert level of 4000 mm |
Alert: Potential flooding occurring around Waimate Nth Road |
| Whangarei | Water level at Whakapara at Cableway is 8442 mm. This is above the first warning level of 8000 mm |
Warning: Approaching threshold for SH1 flooding (9000mm) NRC Employee came through Puhipuhi around 1540 and the river was 300mm or so below the bridge deck |
Hydrology are monitoring Rangiahua at SH1 with high tide in the eastern Hokianga later this evening.
Severe Weather Warning – Northland