Tropical Cyclone Tam updates
**UPDATE 4.30pm**
This is our final update before heading into the Easter break. However, please keep reporting weather related problems to our contact centre. Our staff will be on duty round the clock and roading contractors will be available to respond to call outs.
This weather event has impacted 61 district roads. As of 4.30pm today, six remain closed – five due to flooding and one due to fallen tree with lines in it. See the list of closed roads below.
| Road name | Reason | Status |
|---|---|---|
Greenacres Drive | Fallen Tree | CLOSED |
Horeke Road | Flooding | CLOSED |
Iwitaua Road | Flooding | CLOSED |
Okaka Road | Flooding | CLOSED |
Pukepoto Road (Okaihau) | Flooding | CLOSED |
Waikare Road | Flooding | CLOSED |
If you are traveling during Easter, check for road closures and delays on state highways at: https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/journey-planner or follow NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi - Northland
Power outages are continuing for some communities. Please refer to the Top Energy power outages page if you have power problems and remember to be mindful around fallen power lines. Treat all lines as live, stay well clear, and report them to Top Energy (Far North) on 0800 867 363.
If you are travelling over the Easter break, stay visible with your headlights on and please drive to the conditions.
**UPDATE 12.30pm**
Wind and rain continue to batter our district, but the good news is that conditions are improving. Wind, rain, and waves will be easing this afternoon and river levels across the Far North are also receding.
That’s great news for our roading teams, who have been out since first light responding to reports of flooding, slips and fallen trees on district roads.
Please report any problems to our contact centre on 0800 920 029.
This weather event has impacted 49 district roads. As of midday today, nine are closed – five due to fallen trees and four are flooded. See the list of closed roads below.
| Road name | Reason | Status |
|---|---|---|
Greenacres Drive | Fallen Tree | CLOSED |
Horeke Road | Flooding | CLOSED |
Kaimaumau Road | Fallen Tree | Width Restriction Only |
Okaka Road | Flooding | CLOSED |
Otaha Road | Fallen Tree | CLOSED |
Pukepoto Road (Okaihau) | Flooding | CLOSED |
Purerua Road | Fallen Tree | CLOSED |
Sandys Road | Fallen Tree | CLOSED |
Takou Bay Road | Fallen Tree | CLOSED |
Waikare Road | Flooding | CLOSED |
State Highway 11 (Marsden Road) is closed between Williams Road and Bayview Road in Paihia due to flooding. A small detour is in place.
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
One of the biggest problems facing our district is extended power outages, often due to fallen trees. Please be mindful when on the road, especially around fallen power lines. Treat all lines as live, stay well clear, and report them to Top Energy (Far North) on 0800 867 363.
If you and your whanau are struggling, please call us on 0800 920 029 and we’ll put you in touch with organisations that can help.
**UPDATE 8.30am Thursday 17 April**
Kawakawa, Paihia and Kāeo libraries will be closed today due to power outages and flooding. We’ll provide updates on road closures and other issues throughout the day.
A full list of confirmed impacted roads and their current status can be found below.
| Road | Reason | Status |
|---|---|---|
Bonnetts Road | Fallen Tree | OPEN |
Butler Road | Fallen Tree | OPEN |
Diggers Valley Road | Underslip | OPEN |
Greenacres Drive | Fallen Tree | OPEN |
Kaimaumau Road | Fallen Tree | Width Restriction Only |
Old Bay Road | Fallen Tree | OPEN |
Orakau Road | Fallen Tree | OPEN |
Pokapu Road | Fallen Tree | OPEN |
Pukepoto Road (Okaihau) | Flooding | CLOSED |
Puketotara Road | Fallen Tree | OPEN |
Pungaere Road | Fallen Tree | OPEN |
Purdy Street | Fallen Tree | OPEN |
Purerua Road | Fallen Tree | CLOSED |
Settlement Road | Fallen Tree | OPEN |
Taheke Road | Fallen Tree | CLOSED |
Takou Bay Road | Fallen Tree | CLOSED |
Te Tio Road | Fallen Tree | CLOSED |
Waimate North Road | Fallen Tree | OPEN |
Waimatenui / Mataraua Road | Fallen Tree | OPEN |
There are also unconfirmed reports of:
- Trees down the bottom of Kerikeri Road
- Trees down at the Bottom of Kerikeri Grove, Kerikeri
- Tree down near 135 Snelgar Road, Kaitāia.
- Tree down outside 22 Butler Road, Kerikeri
- 2 trees blocking road at 349 Otaha Rd and also on Te Ra Road, Kerikeri
- Fallen Tree between Old Bay Road and Waikarimu Road, Pakaraka/Ohaeawai
- Large pine tree down on Houhora Heads Rd, blocking both lanes
**UPDATE 4pm**
Eight Far North District roads have been impacted by the severe weather with two closed as of 4pm tonight. Those are:
- Pukepoto Road – closed due to flooding
- Waimatenui/Mataraua Road – blocked by fallen trees but due to be cleared soon.
A full list of impacted roads and their current status can be found below.
| Road name | Reason | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Bonnetts Road | Fallen Tree | OPEN |
| Diggers Valley Road | Under slip | OPEN |
| Greenacres Drive | Fallen Tree | OPEN |
| Orakau Road | Fallen Tree | OPEN |
| Pukepoto Road (Okaihau) | Flooding | CLOSED |
| Puketotara Road | Fallen Tree | OPEN |
| Settlement Road | Fallen Tree | OPEN |
| Waimate North Road | Fallen Tree | OPEN |
| Waimatenui Road | Fallen Tree | CLOSED |
High tide inundation
There is a possibility that low-lying coastal roads and state highways will be inundated tonight when predicted 5-6m east coast swells combine with severe gale winds and a 10pm hightide. To help keep key transport links open, NZTA has allocated additional crews to monitor the Far North state highway network, particularly known trouble spots like Paihia and other flood-prone areas. If State Highway 11 at Paihia (also known as Marsden Road) becomes impassable, NZTA and the council will create a detour route around the affected area. Businesses in the area are also advised to prepare.
**UPDATE 12.30pm**
As of midday, all district roads in the Far North are open. However, two were disrupted by fallen trees. These have now been cleared. See detail below.
| Road name | Reason | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Settlement Road in Kawakawa | Fallen tree | OPEN |
| Waimate North Road | Fallen tree | OPEN |
A warning to boat owners. Please be aware of a Storm Warning issued by MetService for the east coast of the Far North. It predicts 5-6m swells and possible 8m+ swells on Thursday. These will be driven by up to 50 knot easterlies this evening (Weds), dropping to 35 knots south of Whangaroa on Thursday morning and easing to northerly 20 knots everywhere that evening.
As of Wednesday 16 April, at 9am
According to MetService Tropical Cyclone Tam is forecast to be reclassified to a subtropical depression early on Thursday. This weather system is already causing significant rain and wind across the Far North.
So far, there have been no confirmed reports of weather-related problems on our roads. However, the Pou Herenga Tai – Twin Coast Cycle Trail has confirmed it has shut the trail for today (Wednesday 16 April) due to weather.
There are also unconfirmed reports of:
- A road slip on Kohumaru Road
- A tree blocking Settlement Road in Kawakawa
- Tree fallen at 5 Old Hospital Road, Whangaroa
- Tree fallen on Waimate North Road.
Our roading contractors have multiple crews out inspecting the network with a focus on known problem areas and will be investigating these and other reports as they come in. We will provide updates here as issues are confirmed.
Please contact the council immediately on 0800 920 029 to report problems with our road network such as flooding, slips, fallen trees or any other issues. Please tell us what the issues is and where it is.
For the State Highway network, please check the NZTA Trip Advisor webpage.
Please refer to the Top Energy power outages page if you have power problems.
Remember, if you need to travel, stay visible with your headlights on and please drive to the conditions.