Council opens EOC as MetService extends weather warning

Far North District Council has set up an Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) at its headquarters in Kaikohe as of 10.30am today (Thursday 4 May) in response to an Orange Heavy Rain Warning and Severe Thunderstorm watch issued for Northland on Wednesday.

Te Ratonga Tirorangi MetService extended its warning to Friday at 9am after the weather system continued to linger over Northland.

The forecaster warns that rainfall could come in heavy bursts and that Northland could receive 80 to 130mm of rain, mainly in the north and west, on top of rainfall already received before Thursday morning. This additional rain could cause surface flooding and possible slips, making driving conditions hazardous in the Far North.

Setting up the EOC is a precautionary measure to allow council staff and emergency services to monitor the weather and any impacts on critical infrastructure and to respond quickly to adverse weather impacts. This includes monitoring water outages at Kerikeri and Kaitāia. Council staff began monitoring the situation overnight and into Thursday morning before the EOC was formally stood up.

Three roads are currently closed in the Far North due to flooding: Kaitāia-Awaroa Road, Taumata Road in Taipā, Whangape Road in Herekino. The Kaitāia-Awaroa Road, which is the alternative route to Mangamuka Gorge, is accessible to four-wheel drive vehicles. Floodwaters there have receded this morning.

The Rāwene to Kohukohu ferry is operating as per schedule, however the passenger-only service has been experiencing high winds and staff continue to monitor the situation. 

The EOC is a central command post 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.