Only travel tonight if absolutely necessary

Waikato District Council is strongly urging the public to stay at home tonight and only drive on the roads if it’s absolutely necessary.

Heavy rain and strong winds of up to 140kmh are expected in the district up until at least 9pm tonight.

“The risk of slips, flooding and debris on roads is too great to be considering non-essential travel,” says Waikato District Council Civil Defence Emergency Controller Merv Balloch.

“If people do have to leave their homes we advise them to take the utmost care on the roads.”

Waikato District Council and Waikato District Alliance staff will be out early tomorrow morning to assess damage and check on people living in flood-prone areas and we will be updating the situation on the area’s roads as soon as it is possible.

All residents are urged to take extra care over the next few days as Cyclone Cook hits New Zealand.

Civil Defence has established an Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) in Ngaruawahia and is monitoring the situation closely with teams ready to respond to flooding, slips, community welfare and any other issues from the storm.

Waikato District Council is encouraging its residents to take note of the following advice during this period of bad weather:

You should:

Stay inside. Avoid driving unless absolutely necessary. If you do have to travel take extra care due to surface water on roads and debris that may be left on the road due to previous slips.

Drive with extreme caution if travel is essential. If you are driving at night don’t rely on signage, you may be the first to come across a slip or flooding.

Bring your pets inside. Move stock to shelter or high ground. If you have to evacuate, take your pets with you.

Put your household emergency plan into action and check your getaway kit in case you have to leave in a hurry. Civil Defence is advising people to have food and water for seven days, especially those who live in rural areas that are easily cut off.

Secure, or move indoors, all items that could get blown about and cause harm in strong winds.

Close windows, external and internal doors. Pull curtains and drapes over unprotected glass areas to prevent injury from shattered or flying glass.

If the wind becomes destructive, stay away from doors and windows and shelter further inside the house.

Power cuts are possible in severe weather. Unplug small appliances that could be affected by electrical power surges. If power is lost unplug major appliances to reduce the power surge and possible damage when power is restored.

Stay out of flood water as there is a risk of wastewater contamination and unknown hazards.

If people or property are in danger always call 111. Call 0800 492 452 to report damage.

If you feel your home is at risk please seek alternative accommodation with friends or family. If you can’t, please contact Waikato District Council on 0800 492 452.

Closed roads and partially open roads in our district that Waikato District Council is aware of, as at 3pm, 13 April are:

Roads closed:

Wattle Road, Whangamarino 

Brewster Road, Pukekawa 

Maurice Road, Glen Murray

Churchill Rd between 8km and 11km mark, Pukekawa

Clarke and Denize Road, Pukekawa

Klondyke Road, Te Kohanga

Koheroa Road between Kellyville Road and Glass Road intersections, Mercer

Pioneer Road and Bluff Road, Pokeno.

Partially open

Murray Road, Pukekawa 

Highway 22 

Tenfoot Road/ Orini Road, Orini 

Venna Fry Lane, Huntly 

Matakataki Road, Glen Murray 

Te Hutewai Road, Raglan 

Rotowaro Road, Rotowaro 

Waikare Road, Te Kauwhata 

Matahuru Road, Waiterimu 

Allan and Eyre Road, Onewhero

Kellyville Road (closed to heavy vehicle traffic), Mercer

McIntyre Road, Waiterimu

Pororua Road, Waiterimu

River Road, Tuakau

Te Puroa Road, Ngaruawahia

Waikaretu Valley Rd, Waikaretu

Wairamarama-Onewhero Road

Waingaro Road, Glen Massey

Stay informed

www.metservice.co.nz

www.civildefence.govt.nz

www.facebook.com/waikatodistrictcouncil

www.twitter.com/waikatodistrict

www.waikatodistrict.govt.nz

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