Get Prepared for Gabrielle’s Visit Warn Authorities
Written by John Freer on February 9, 2023
Get prepared as Cyclone Gabrielle is going to hit the Coromandel and Hauraki regions with an intensity similar to that which smashed the Thames Coast in 2018.
Local Civil Defence officials have been blunt in their prediction on the coming storm front and its potential to create havoc.
Thames Coromandel Controller, Garry Towler, said the determinations were made using a range of modelling, a clear picture of the storm path and timings would be known tomorrow (Friday) afternoon.
All the modelling was reaching the same solution.
Garry said this time round there was a combination of weather elements being high winds, rainfall and storm surges with associated peak tides.
With the Coromandel Peninsula and Hauraki Plains already being soaked, the risk is high for potential flooding across low lying areas, coastal properties being badly damaged by tidal storm surges plus trees and slips continuing to impact on properties and roads.
Garry said people living in flood prone areas must be prepared to evacuate and therefore have a plan in place for where they can go and be safe.
“We have a lot of concerns about people’s safety particularly across the coastal areas.”
He said messaging will focus on people’s preparedness.
Thames Coromandel Mayor Len Salt has extended the state of emergency across the district for another seven days.
“The storm is going to pack a significant punch, the extension of the state of emergency will give us the ability to resource equipment and support from the likes of New Zealand Defence Force,” said Garry.
He asked that people remain in touch with the weather developments and reiterated the need to have a plan if evacuation is required.
