Important advice for severe weather event
News
As we continue to experience adverse weather conditions in the South Waikato, it's important to remain vigilant and behave in a safe manner.
Over the next couple of days it's a good idea to avoid non-essential travel, make sure you have a plan in place should you need to move from where you are, and to keep an eye on weather forecasts.
General advice
- Prepare for severe weather at https://getready.govt.nz/emergency/storms
- Have essentials ready in case of power outages or road closures
- Have a grab bag and evacuation plan ready
- Be prepared – check your destination and journey before you travel
- Take care on the roads and travel only if absolutely necessary. If you must travel, please slow down and be prepared for surface flooding or obstructions on road. Anyone travelling should check NZTA’s Journey Planner website for the latest conditions.
- Please be kind, look after yourselves, and look out for your friends, whaanau, and neighbours
- Remember, you can text or phone 1737 at any time to speak to a trained counsellor
- If you, your house, or someone is in danger, call 111
Flooding
- With widespread heavy rain forecast around the Waikato region, streams and rivers may rise rapidly, slips may occur and trees may fall
- Rivers, banks, and streams can rise rapidly
- Do not attempt to drive, swim, or walk through flood waters
- Be prepared to evacuate and keep your grab bag near. Listen to emergency services and local Civil Defence authorities. Follow any instructions about evacuation of your area. Self-evacuate if you feel unsafe
- Move pets to a safe place and move stock to higher ground. If you have to leave, take your pets with you. If it’s not safe for you, it’s not safe for them
- Turn off water, electricity and gas if advised to
- Move valuable and dangerous items as high above the floor as possible. This includes electrical equipment and chemicals. Use watertight containers to store important items.
- Lift curtains, rugs and bedding off the floor.
- Check on your neighbours and anyone who may need your help.
- To prepare for flooding:
- Clear drains and gutters
- Secure loose outdoor items
- Move valuables and vehicles away from flood prone areas
- Relocate stock from low lying land and bring pets indoors
- Remember, never enter, swim or drive through flood water.
Landslips
- Land instability can continue for many days after a rain event like this one and landslides can happen without warning often triggered by heavy rain. So stay alert and look out for the warning signs. You'll need to act quickly if you see them:
- Small slips, rock falls, and sinking land, at the bottom of slopes
- Sticking doors and window frames, which may mean the land is slowly moving under the building
- Gaps where window frames are not fitting properly
- Steps, decks, and verandas, moving or tilting away from the rest of the building
- New cracks or bulges on the ground, road, footpath, retaining walls and other hard surfaces
- Tilting trees, retaining walls, or fences
- Get out of the path of the landslide quickly. Evacuate if the building you are in is in danger.
