Holiday weekend weather update

Published on 27 January 2023

There is widespread surface flooding on both sides of the Peninsula as we head into the soggy long weekend. Debris and trees are falling around the roading network as well. We expect further slips and surface flooding to occur over the next 24 hours.

A number of key roads in the district have closed and others are under stop-go traffic management.

• SH25A Kōpū-Hikuai (see photo on the right) is closed until further notice due to the deterioration of the washout that developed last week. 
• The Tapu–Coroglen and 309 Roads are both closed until further notice. They are not safe as alternative two-lane routes for high volumes of traffic.
• SH25 Thames Coast Rd at Ruamahunga and SH25 on Whangapoua Hill have stop/go traffic management in place due to slips.

The MetService has updated the forecast, and the weather graphics (at the top of this page) show an easing of rain on Sunday and Monday before it returns again on Tuesday.

Our Civil Defence Controller Garry Towler confirms that many holiday makers have made the decision to head home. For those staying on he has these key messages: “Hunker down once again, avoid any unnecessary travel, especially tonight, and keep up-to-date on conditions.”

“Our Rapid Impact Assessment Team will be out first thing tomorrow morning, we will have an update on Saturday on roads, communities and the overall situation.” 

Check for updates with: Council's road counditions web page | Thames-Coromandel District Council Facebook | Waka Kotahi/NZTA |MetService