Weekend visitors warned to take care if heading to the Coromandel

Published on 16 February 2023

Grange Road Hahei portrait 14 Feb 23.jpg

“Come prepared,” is the key message from our Council’s Civil Defence to anyone looking at travelling to the area for the weekend of 17-19 February 2023 in the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle.

With a rare weekend of sun forecast, Civil Defence Controller Garry Towler acknowledged there will be many out-of-towners eager to come and check on their holiday homes and spend some time at the beach. But he warned that even with more roads beginning to open, travel around the Coromandel is still heavily compromised and comes with a number of risks.

“The key message from us is to stop, pause and check all available websites to ensure that the roads are open and safe to travel. We recognise that visitors are important to getting the heartbeat back in to the local economy, but we also want everyone to be safe.”

He recommended packing a ‘go-bag’ in the car with warm clothing, water and snacks, should you find yourself caught between slips or delayed.

Holidaymakers were also warned to make sure they were aware of other risks in the area. Land Air Water Aotearoa (LAWA) have issued warnings that coastal areas, including the Coromandel, are unsuitable for swimming for two to three days following the heavy rain.  

Wastewater treatment plants were dealt a heavy blow during the storm and may have discharged partially treated wastewater into harbours and river outlets. Mr Towler also warned against fishing and gathering shellfish.

In addition, Mr Towler asked people to take care when cleaning up around their properties.

“Please make sure you are keeping yourself safe. Slips and other debris can be unstable and flood waters can be contaminated. Make sure you take proper precautions and wear the right safety gear before you get stuck into the clean-up.”

Update on activity throughout Thursday 16 February

Civil Defence teams, Council staff and other agencies made a lot of progress throughout the day.

  • Contact was made with isolated communities in the north of the peninsula to check on wellbeing and supplies. The resilient communities in those areas are coping well and power supply is slowly being restored.
  • Contractors for our Council and Waka Kotahi/NZ Transport Agency have also made steady progress to clear slips and debris from the area’s roading network. A number of local roads have reopened to one-lane or stop/go with the priority to keep at least some access while further repairs are being made. Find out more about local roads on Council’s website or state highways from Waka Kotahi.
  • All of our Civil Defence and community-led centres have now been stood down as power is restored to most affected communities. Welfare support is available by contacting ‘Here to help u’ on 0800 568 273 from 8.30am to 5pm 7 days or online at www.heretohelpu.nz. In an emergency, please call 111.
  • For emergency financial support, contact Ministry of Social Development on 0800 400 100. They’re open 7am–5pm Monday to Friday, 8am-5pm Saturday, and 8am-1pm Sunday.
Key information sites to check

Council road updates will be published on our website and Facebook page. Check Waka Kotahi for State Highway information and MetService for weather updates.

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