Caution for Easter activities

Widespread rainfall continues to fall with and is expected to be heaviest in northern Hawke’s Bay.

Hawke’s Bay Civil Defence Emergency Management Group met with Regional Council staff this morning to review overnight activity.  While rain has been more consistent in northern areas of Hawke’s Bay, it is currently falling at a level which does not alarm authorities.

The message from HBCDEM Group’s Controller Ian Macdonald is for Hawke’s Bay people to consider what they plan to do over the coming Easter weekend.

“We don’t recommend camping or caravan-ing this weekend particularly around waterways and only the hardiest of hunters will be heading out there.  Our recommendation for travellers is to check that roads are open, allow plenty of time and watch for slips on the region’s roads.”
“Everything is becoming super-saturated while this slow-moving low pressure weather system remains,” said Mr Macdonald.

Roads in particular to watch are:
Wairoa – local roads, check for closures
Napier - Taupo road: State Highway 5
Napier- Wairoa road: State Highway 2, at Devil’s Elbow
Bay of Plenty to Gisborne road, State Highway 2, in the Waioeka Gorge between Gisborne and Opotiki
Wairoa to Gisborne road, State Highway 2, in the Wharerata Ranges, north of Morere

The coastal swell in Hawke Bay is not expected to pose a significant threat to low-lying seaside communities, but the swell will remain through Easter weekend and coastal water will carry a lot of debris and stay cloudy for days to come.

HBCDEM Group cautions people to consider the roads they plan to use, checking the NZTA and AA Roadwatch website, and look at the latest MetService forecast.  HBCDEM Group continues to monitor the situation.

NZTA                   www.nzta.govt.nz
AA Roadwatch  www.aa.co.nz
MetService         www.metservice.co.nz