Metservice is expecting Cyclone Gabrielle to bring significant severe weather to northern and central New Zealand from late Sunday, and HBRC is preparing for potentially heavy rainfall as a result.
Sunday through to Tuesday could see rainfall of 200mm to 400mm or more, it posted on Facebook on Friday.
“Our field and engineering staff are rostered on to work through this time and are currently preparing pump stations. Given the catchments are still saturated from the previous rain event, we are expecting rivers to rise quickly,” the post said.
HBRC provided a link for people to check out real time local river levels here and rainfall here.
Further updates from the Regional Council would posted on Facebook as things progressed. Similarly, Hawke’s Bay Civil Defence Emergency Management Group’s Facebook page was being regularly updated.
“Cyclone Gabrielle is expected to move southeastwards out of the tropics and lie north of the country by late weekend. Gabrielle is likely to approach the North Island on Monday, and possibly move onto northern parts of the Island on Tuesday,” it said in a post on Friday.
A Heavy Rain Watch has been issued for Hawke’s Bay, covering the 48 hours from 6am Monday 13 February to 6am Wednesday 15 February.
“The duration of the event and the amount of rain forecast is highly dependent on the track of Cyclone Gabrielle, and this Watch could be upgraded to an Orange or possibly Red warning in the coming days,” the post said.
Civil Defence is urging people to prepare for heavy rain and wind, and possibly large swells, with risks such as power cuts, tree falls, land slips and flash flooding.
See advice on how to prepare here, including securing loose items, bringing pets inside, and preparing a grab bag for each member of the household.
“Civil Defence is working with councils and emergency services in the region, monitoring the situation closely and preparing to coordinate an effective and efficient emergency response should this be required.”
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