Media Release
For immediate release
Friday 10 July 2009
MetService issues a severe weather warning

The Auckland Region Emergency Management Office reminds Aucklanders to stay up-to-date with weather forecasts over the next 48 hours.
MetService expects the Auckland region to be hit by severe weather between midday Saturday and midday Sunday.

Harry O’Rourke, Group Controller for the Auckland Region Civil Defence Emergency Management Group, advises people to be prepared for severe weather in the Auckland region. The Auckland Region Emergency Management Office and local authority emergency management offices throughout the region are monitoring the weather situation.

“It is a good time to check your emergency survival kit and update your household emergency plans. Make sure your battery-powered torches and radios are working and check the expiry dates on all food in your emergency survival kit,” said Harry O’Rourke.

An emergency survival kit should have:

• Food and water for 3 days or more
• Battery powered torch and radio
• First aid kit / medication
• Supplies for pets

If you live in low-lying areas prone to flooding, you should have a getaway kit ready in case you need to move to higher ground. If you have stock in low-lying areas move to higher ground.

Your getaway kit should have:
• Essential items from your emergency survival kit
• Family documents .e.g. passports and drivers license
• Personal items .e.g. medication and toiletries

Listen to your radio for civil defence information or any information relating to severe weather.

Check the Yellow Pages for more information.

For more information please visit:
www.metservice.co.nz
www.aucklandcivildefenceorg.nz
www.getthru.govt.nz
Before the severe weather hits you should:

• Check your drains and spouting to make sure they are clear of blockages.
• Pick up debris around your house that could become airborne.
• Move rubbish bins to shelter.
• Bring pets inside.
• Boaties are recommended to check their moorings.
• Listen to your local radio station for information.
• Check on your next door neighbours.
If the severe weather hits we would recommend:

• People stay at home, stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary.
• Open a window on the side of the building away from the wind. This will relieve pressure on the roof and help prevent it lifting.
• Close all curtains to slow down flying glass and airborne objects.
• Stay away from doors and windows. If the wind becomes destructive, shelter further inside the house.
• Power and phone services may be disrupted. We recommend you have a torch and a battery-powered radio so you can listen to weather alerts. You also may want to have a gas cooker ready.

ENDS

Background information:
Severe Weather Warning criteria
MetService will issue a Severe Weather Warning whenever there is an expectation that any of the following weather conditions will occur within the next 24 hours:

• Widespread* rainfall greater than 50 mm within 6 hours or 100 mm within 24 hours;

• Widespread* snowfall below 1000 metres on the North Island or 500 metres on the South Island with a snow depth of 10 centimetres within 6 hours or 25 centimetres within 24 hours;

• Widespread* severe gales with a minimum mean speed of 90 km/hr or frequent gusts exceeding 110 km/hr.

*"Widespread" means over an area of 1000 square kilometres or more.

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