FNDC prepares emergency weather response
Far North District Council has stood up an Incident Management Team (IMT) to actively monitor the weather system that is continuing to impact Northland.
Far North District Council has stood up an Incident Management Team (IMT) to actively monitor the weather system that is continuing to impact Northland.
The IMT is an intermediate step in an emergency response. It closely assesses the local situation as it unfolds and provides input on whether a physical Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) needs to be setup. The council last stood up its EOC just last Thursday in response to an Orange Heavy Rain Warning and Severe Thunderstorm watch issued for Northland.
As of midday today, 22 roads in the Far North had been closed due to flood waters, slips and fallen trees with several other roads down to one lane or passable with caution.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is advising motorists to avoid unnecessary travel with heavy rainfall causing surface flooding across the state highway network. State Highway 1 Brynderwyn Hills to Waipū and Dome Valley are now closed due to surface flooding and slips, although there are no reported closures on the State Highway network in the Far North.
There is widespread flooding across the roading network, creating hazardous driving conditions. Please avoid unnecessary travel. If you are out on the roads, please be extra vigilant and watch out for hazards. Please log any flooding or storm related issues by calling our contact centre on 0800 920 029.