🌧 WEATHER UPDATE 🌧 Important information from HB Civil Defence Emergency Management Group 10.00am Thursday 23/02/23

Communications from Hastings District Council

🌧 WEATHER UPDATE 🌧 Important information from HB Civil Defence Emergency Management Group
10.00am Thursday 23/02/23

Kia ora koutou, we are expecting some heavy rain around the region over the next couple of days, and we understand after #CycloneGabrielle people will be feeling anxious about this! Here is what we know:
The latest weather in Hawkes Bay:
🔶🌧️HEAVY RAIN WARNING🌧️🔶
MetService New Zealand has now issued a heavy rain warning for Hawkes Bay
Period: 48hrs from 10am Thu, 23 Feb - 10am Sat, 25 Feb
Forecast: Expect 150 to 200mm of rain about the ranges and also away from the ranges north of Hastings (this includes the Esk Valley area and the Wairoa District), and 75 to 100mm elsewhere. The heaviest falls are likely from 3pm Friday, with peak rates of 20 to 30mm/h possible.
Expected impact:
➡️Rivers and streams could rise rapidly.
➡️Surface flooding and slips are possible.
➡️Existing silt deposits may become saturated.
➡️Driving conditions may be hazardous, avoid unnecessary travel.
⚠️ KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON THE FORECAST ON THE METSERVICE WEBSITE⚠️ www.metservice.com...
⚠️Please keep a close eye on rivers and take extreme caution around areas where rivers have cut a new channel or where stopbanks have been damaged.
⚠️Be aware that silt may become saturated, take caution around large deposits of silt which could shift or collapse.
⚠️There could be localised ponding, this is small areas of flooding due to rain, rather than rivers
WHAT TO DO: STAY SAFE, STAY INFORMED, HAVE A PLAN, ACT QUICKLY IF YOU SEE RISING WATER.
➡️ Be prepared, talk with your whānau or household about what you will do and where you will go if you need to evacuate.
➡️ Stay away from rivers and out of harms way.
➡️ Have a grab bag ready with supplies you will need if you have to leave home in a hurry.
➡️ Never try to walk, swim, or drive through flood water.
➡️ Check on your neighbours, vulnerable family members and anyone who might need your help.
➡️ Put safety first. Don’t take any chances. Act quickly if you see rising water. In an emergency, call 111.