January severe weather event

**UPDATE 2pm 20 January**

MetService has updated its weather warning for Northland. There is now an Orange Heavy Rain Warning active until early Thursday morning.

Key messages

• Today (Tuesday) expect 60-80mm of rain with possible 25-40mm per hour downpours.
• Wednesday expect a further 120-160mm of rain and possible downpours of 25-40mm per hour.
• Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions are possible.

The worst weather is expected tomorrow evening (Wednesday) and into Thursday morning. Far North District Council civil defence teams are prepared and are on standby. We will open our Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) if and when required.

What we are doing now

There are five crews from Ventia working in areas that were impacted from the flooding on Sunday clearing slips, debris, fallen trees, and clearing culverts as required in efforts to keep road access open.

Road network

We have received reports of nine issues impacting district roads following the weekend weather. Those roads and issues are:

1. Manawaroa Rd – overslip – work underway
2. Hikuwai Rd – debris – open
3. Knudsens Rd – fallen tree – work underway
4. Ngapipito Rd – fallen tree – open
5. Rawhiti Rd (north) – overslip – open
6. Rawhiti Rd (south) – bridge – closed
7. Rawhiti Rd (south) – overslip – work underway
8. Tokawhero Rd – fallen tree – work underway
9. Waikare Rd – flooding – work underway

Critical assets and flood prone sites

In preparation for forecast heavy rains, our roading crews are checking critical assets around the district such as culverts where flooding is a known issue. Need to report an issue? Call our 24-hour call centre on 0800 920 029.

What you can do

• If you feel that you, your whānau, or your property are at immediate risk call emergency services on 111.
• Clear drains and gutters, and secure loose outdoor items.
• Move valuables and vehicles away from flood prone areas.
• Relocate stock from low lying land and bring pets indoors.
• Ensure you have a supply of drinking water, non-perishable food, portable radio, medication, chargers, portable cooker, torch, spare batteries, and cash on hand.
• Check on neighbours, especially older people or those who may need support – kia manaaki tātou i a tātou anō.
• Check highway and road conditions before you travel. Only travel if absolutely necessary.
• Be ready to move to higher ground if needed, and kaua rawa e taraiwai roto i ngā waipuke – never drive through floodwaters.
• If conditions worsen, Civil Defence centres or community hubs may be activated, including marae where appropriate. These places provide a safe space, information, and support if needed – he wāhi haumaru, he wāhi manaaki. Please wait for official confirmation before travelling to a hub.
• Report weather-related incidents to the council’s 24-hour call centre on 0800 920 029.

Rawhiti Road bridge approach

A specialist excavator needed to make repairs to the Rawhiti Road bridge is trapped on the southern side of Russell Road due to a significant slip. Until this slip is cleared, we cannot access the bridge approach to repair it. Repairs can only be made from the southern side of the bridge. This means the bridge is unlikely to reopen now until Wednesday afternoon or later. We are aware this is seriously impacting some residents and we are assessing welfare needs as a result. If you need assistance, please call our 24-hour call centre on 0800 920 029.

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**UPDATE 4pm 19 Jan**

• Our engineers confirmed at midday today that the Rawhiti Road bridge is not damaged and that repairs can commence.  Contractors are now moving material and specialist machinery to site so they can undertake the works without damaging the concrete structures around the bridge foundations. We anticipate reopening the bridge to traffic by late tomorrow (Tuesday) afternoon.
• Sixteen major road slips hit the Far North District road network as a result of sudden severe rains on Saturday and Sunday. A severe slip creates 500 square metres or more of debris.
• Further heavy rains are predicted over the next 48 hours and Far North District Council civil defence teams are on standby to respond to possible road closures and flooding incidents. Please avoid unnecessary travel and report any weather related incidents to our 24-hour call centre on 0800 920 029.

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MetService has issued a Heavy Rain Watch for Northland starting 6pm tonight (Monday) and extending until noon Tuesday. Rainfall may approach Warning levels or possibly exceed them in some areas. Southeasterlies will be strong in exposed places. More rain is expected tomorrow and Wednesday and strong east to northeast winds may reach gale force.

We will be providing regular updates here on any flooding, road closures and civil defence notices as they occur. Please keep monitoring this page.

If your life or property is in danger, please call emergency services immediately on 111. Please report flooding, slips or other weather-related events to our 24-hour call centre on 0800 920 029.

To check for road closures and delays on state highways: https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/journey-planner or follow NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi – Northland

Check the Top Energy website for the latest on power outages: https://outages.topenergy.co.nz/