The latest from TCDC

Julie Kaio Reporter from Hauraki Herald

Severe weather - flooding update #7 2:20 pm

Widespread flooding of roads across the Eastern Seaboard of the Coromandel and on the Firth of Thames coast from Kaiaua to Thames, with multiple communities isolated due to road closures including Kaiaua, Whiritoa, Onemana, Opoutere, Whangamata, Pauanui, Tairua and Whitianga.

Our sewage treatment plant pumping stations are under pressure from heavy rainfall, so please don't flush toilets.

Civil Defence Centres are on standby at Whangamata Hall and Pauanui Community Hub. In the meantime, please come to our Thames Council office if you need assistance.

Rural Support Trust is asking Farmers with information about what is happening in their area or if they are experiencing any issues to please give them a call on 0800 00 83 33.

Update by area:

Thames SH25 one lane closed south of Thames

Thames Coast Road is open but extreme caution is required due to surface flooding and debris.

Whangamata - Flooding / Slips. A major slip earlier this afternoon (20m x 20m) meant a couple had to be evacuated before the slip hit the house. The couple are now staying with friends. The house is in the path of the slip if it moves any further. Multiple businesses and houses flooded. Wastewater network shutd own due to infiltration. Three houses evacuated. 27 students and two teachers from Otumoetai College on a surf camp in Whangamata are being put up for the night as they are unable to leave due to the flooding.

Onemana - isolated due to flooding on SH25. Two houses have been damaged by a slip, but all occupants have been accounted for and relocated. The house is not safe to inhabit. Falling main to town has a break on it. The town supply will have to be completely shut down for repairs to be effected. Our Infrastructure Services cannot give timeframe at this stage but we will advise as we can.

Hikuai/Pauanui - Severely flooded, all access closed. Houses flooded at Duck Creek – Fire Service unable to gain access through water.

Tairua - Two household evacuations due to flooding.

Kaiaua - 6-10 houses flooded – evacuees being looked after by friends and family. Sand bags are being prepared at Fire Station.

Waihi - Barry Road bridge flooded.

Telecommunications

Whangamata reports of Spark outage
Whitianga reports of Vodafone outage
Vodafone: Onemana and Whangamata south
Chorus: Fibre optics cable alert for the Coromandel
Tides

THAMES Weds 8 High 16:06hrs 3.6m

WHITIANGA Wed 8 High 16:19hrs 2.0m

Road Closures

Kopu to Whangamata is now open with caution.

Waihi to Whangamata is open to one lane to emergency services only.

Hikuai to Tairua is closed and will probably remain so until tomorrow.

A significant slip on pumpkin hill north of Tairua is delaying traffic while being cleared.

SH25 Thames - Kopu down to one lane.

SH25 Opoutere: between Opoutere Road & Liddle Road

SH25 – Manaia – Fire Chief reported of closure

Finlay Road Miranda South of Kaiaua

East Coast Road Kaiaua

Tairua to Whangamata likely to remain closed all day

Road Hazards

SH25 Thames Coast Road - North of Whakatete Bay

For updated information:

• 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)

• www.nzta.govt.nz...

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Emergency services

NZ Fire Service - Report 23 call outs to events in Thames-Coromandel District

Thames Hospital - Clinics and surgery closed

Power outages

Opoutere – 199 properties – Est. restoration: 1700 hrs

Click here for the latest Powerco updates

Water and wastewater issues

PURIRI - Has no water / low pressure.

TAIRUA - has power outages and water plant not going.

PAUANUI - Water Plant not going. Reservoir level is ok.

ONEMANA - Reservoir town dropping quickly. Might be due to a break. Access problems

WHANGAMATA/ONEMANA - The wastewater pump stations are working again and will be back to normal in 24 hours provided power supply is not interrupted and rainfall lessens.

PLEASE NOTE: Treatment plants are under pressure, we advise that people treat floodwater as contaminated, both from overloaded wastewater systems and from runoff in the catchments.

Kerbside rubbish collection

Today's blue rubbish bag collection in Coromandel Town and Te Kouma has been cancelled and rescheduled for Saturday 11 March.

Kerbside collection in Thames is going ahead but will be later than usual and may not be finished until tomorrow.

The Whangamata and Pauanui Refuse Transfer Stations are closed today because of the bad weather.

www.tcdc.govt.nz...

Stranded reports

Maratoto Valley - College students at Maratoto camp being relocated Paeroa War Memorial Hall

Wentworth Valley – reports of 20 campers at DOC campground

Opoutere – 3 mobile homes stranded – Neville 0211 035 090

Rainfall

Latest data Rainfall total for the last 24 hours (mm)

Castle Rock 159, Golden Cross 138.5, The Pinnacles 434.5