Gisborne prepared for Pam but people urged to stay home

People expecting to travel to and from Gisborne tomorrow are urged to stay put for another day.

Gisborne manager emergency management Richard Steele says that with extreme southeast gales, high seas and rain forecast to affect the region for 24 hours from early tomorrow morning, travel should only occur if absolutely vital.

Mr Steele says ex-tropical cyclone Pam is expected to bring southeast gales of between 130 to 150 kilometres an hour, intense rain and high seas.

Nine metre swells are expected from Tolaga Bay to the north and seven to eight metre swells to the south of that. Swells are expected to inundate State Highway 35, which is to the north of Gisborne, in several places adjacent to the coast.

Wind gusts of up to 160 kilometres an hour are expected in the eastern Bay of Plenty, which could make travel unsafe. Wind and falling trees could also cause problems in the Whareratas to the south.

Mr Steele says Tolaga Bay and Tokomaru Bay could bear the brunt of the storm.

“We expect about 200mm of rain in the ranges, which – while not horrendous – could bring Tolaga Bay’s Uawa River over the State Highway. There could also be localised flooding in other parts of the district.”

Police, the army, fire, St John, health, roading and network services have already moved extra people and equipment into various townships on the East Coast to help keep people safe.

The roads will be monitored from midnight and police and fire have staff in strategic places throughout the district and Wairoa.

Virtually all people have been moved from Anaura Bay and Nuhiti, where the road has been closed as a precaution.

People with high health needs have been assessed and alternative arrangements made.

At the Gisborne port, all ships have been moved out of the port and no more will be allowed in. Boats able to be moved have been shifted out of the marina, and those unable to be moved will be closely monitored.

Boat owners who have not yet moved their boats are advised to get them out as soon as practicable.

Gisborne Airport remains open and the CAA will decide whether it will be closed.

Gisborne Civil Defence knows that three schools including Awapuni School in the city will not open tomorrow.

ends

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