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With severe weather warnings and watches issued across the country, several agencies are urging New Zealanders to prepare for heavy rain and strong winds as Cyclone Gita makes landfall.
At 6am Auckland time, the Metservice stated that it was already bringing heavy rains to parts of the country and described it as a “significant” and “dangerous” weather event.
“For the North Island, strong northerly winds will likely have the biggest impact, with especially strong winds for the Taranaki, Taihape and Whanganui regions,” it said. “For Wellington and the upper South Island, heavy rain will also have significant effects, beginning early on Tuesday and continuing for the entire day in many places.”
Earlier this week, the Insurance Council of Council of New Zealand (ICNZ) was advising people to take time to prepare their properties for Gita.
ICNZ called on residents of the West Coast, in particular, to batten down the hatches.
“With the recent, severe storm damage West Coast residents have suffered, it’s really important they do all they can to make their homes safe and weather-tight,” ICNZ chief executive officer Tim Grafton said.
Should your property be damaged, take photos and contact your insurer as soon as possible, he added.
The Marlborough District Council advised residents to secure property and items that may be blown by strong winds.
The council called on anyone in Marlborough Sounds to be aware of fast-rising streams and river levels.
Meanwhile, the Horizons Regional Council, which expects the south of the region to feel the effects of Gita the most, also called on the public to stay away from beaches over the next 24 hours until the storm has passed, tie down any loose items such as trampolines and wheelie bins, and drive to safer conditions.
ICNZ recommended measures for homeowners to secure their properties. These include:
If you’re near the coast or a waterway, park your car on higher ground or lock it in the garage so it doesn’t float away.
Collapse and take down outdoor umbrellas and tie down or bring in outdoor furniture where possible. If furniture like trampolines can’t be brought in, turn them upside down to minimise the surface area exposed to winds.
If there’s a possibility of your property flooding, move electrical items off the ground and unplug them.
If the power goes out or flooding develops, check on your neighbours once it’s safe to do so.
Clean out blocked gutters and drains before any bad weather begins to set in. If your roadside drains are blocked, call your local council.
Make sure your emergency kit is well-stocked. If you’re not sure what to include, check out getthru.govt.nz.
