Emergency Operations Centre opens for Red Rain Warning

An Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) has been stood up by the council at its headquarters in Kaikohe this morning (Thursday 26 March) to prepare for impacts of predicted severe weather.

MetService issued a Red Heavy Rain Warning yesterday – the highest warning level – for areas of Northland east of Kaikohe from Doubtless Bay to Whangārei. The rest of Northland remains on an Orange Heavy Rain warning and an Orange Strong Wind Warning is also in place for Northland until 11pm, Thursday 26 March.

Heavy rainfall is expected to peak from Thursday afternoon to Friday morning, with the greatest risk overnight on Thursday. The forecaster is warning the worst affected areas can expect thunderstorms and 270 to 320mm of rain, while the rest of Northland will receive rainfall of 150 to 250mm. A severe gale east to northeast wind is predicted to gust to 120km/h in exposed places

These conditions could cause dangerous river levels, flooding, slips, landslides, hazardous driving conditions, and road closures with the potential to isolate some communities. Far North residents are being warned to avoid areas of known landslides and stay away from steep slopes and water courses, especially as previous storm events may have made some sites more vulnerable to slipping.

The EOC is a central management centre set up to co-ordinate a response to unfolding emergencies while ensuring that usual council operations continue. Representatives from emergency services – police, fire and ambulance – are part of the EOC, along with Civil Defence Northland and council staff with civil defence training.

EOC staff will be tasked with collecting, gathering and analysing weather-related information and its impact on infrastructure and community. It will make decisions necessary to protect life and property, including setting up support for displaced people if required.

Council teams will be on call 24/7 and will respond to hazards as soon as it is safe to do so.

Updates on local road closures, slips and other impacts of the storm will be posted here and on our Facebook page as they are confirmed. Residents are encouraged to report issues to our contact centre on 0800 920 029.

MetService is indicating the severe weather warnings are expected to be expire on Friday.

Please stay up to date with the latest forecasts and information from MetService and Civil Defence Northland. Go to Top Energy for information on power outages.

For more information on how to prepare go to Civil Defence in the Far North.