Media release 16 March 2015
Cyclone Pam update

Cyclone Pam is still moving south east and is expected to maintain its intensity, or may even intensify slightly, reaching the Chatham Islands around midday Tuesday. A warning is now in place for severe gales, heavy rain and heavy swells for the Chatham Islands.

The National Crisis Management Centre (NCMC) was activated at 6am today to support affected Civil Defence and Emergency Management (CDEM) Groups. National agencies, including the emergency services and Government departments continue to monitor the situation. The weather system has passed Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions and has caused only minor damage.

However, Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay and Chatham Islands are still forecast to experience severe weather conditions until Wednesday.

In Gisborne, more than 100 people in total have now moved out of their homes at Te Araroa, Waima (Tokomaru Bay) and Anaura Bay as rain, high winds and large swells continue to affect the district. Hawke’s Bay is continuing to monitor the situation, with large swells possibly coinciding with high tide overnight.

A state of local emergency was declared at the Chatham Islands this afternoon to protect public safety and coordinate the emergency response to Cyclone Pam combined with a number of rural fires. People in low lying areas have been evacuated to the welfare centre at Kopinga Marae and Chatham Islands Civil Defence is continuing to monitor the situation. The Council is providing updates via VHF Channels 60 and 62.

Ends.

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