District pummelled by Cyclone Gabrielle: What we know so far

Published on 14 February 2023

Our crews are out this morning getting an assessment of how the Coromandel has fared overnight.

“We have certainly been pummelled. We have lost cell phone coverage in Whangamatā and Tairua and many of our coastal communities north and south of Whitianga, including places like Matarangi and Hahei,” says our Civil Defence Controller Garry Towler.

“What we know already is there’s mass power outages, entire roading networks are closed and there’s widespread flooding,’ says Mr Towler.

“We understand there may be water issues in some villages, so we’re asking people to conserve water until we can get things fixed,” he says.

“The good thing is people have heeded our warnings about being prepared. We have another high tide at 2pm and further high winds so we’re not out of the woods yet.”

Roading updates

STATE HIGHWAYS

• SH2 Mangatarata to Paeroa: OPEN but ESSENTIAL TRAVEL ONLY

• SH2 Paeroa to Waihi inc. Karangahake Gorge: CLOSED

• SH2 Waihi to Athenree Gorge: CLOSED

• SH25 Kopu to Thames: OPEN

• SH25 Thames to Waiomu: CLOSED

• SH25 Waiomu to Coromandel: CLOSED

• SH25 Coromandel to Kūaotunu: CLOSED

• SH25 Kūaotunu to Whitianga: COMPROMISED – STREAM LEVELS AT WHAREKAHO ARE FLUCTUATING

• SH25 Whitianga to Tairua: OPEN but ESSENTIAL TRAVEL ONLY

• SH25 Tairua to Hikuai: CLOSED

• SH25 Hikuai to Whangamata: OPEN but ESSENTIAL TRAVEL ONLY

• SH25 Whangamata: CLOSED but local road detour available

• SH25 Whangamata to Waihi: CLOSED

• SH26 Morrinsville to Tatuanui: CLOSED but local road detour available

• SH26 Tatuanui to Te Aroha: OPEN but ESSENTIAL TRAVEL ONLY

• SH26 Te Aroha to Paeroa-Tahuna Road: OPEN but ESSENTIAL TRAVEL ONLY

• SH26 Paeroa-Tahuna Road to Paeroa: CLOSED

• SH26 Paeroa to Kopu: OPEN but ESSENTIAL TRAVEL ONLY

• SH27 Mangatarata to Te Poi: OPEN but ESSENTIAL TRAVEL ONLY

• SH29 Kaimai Ranges CLOSED

• SH25A: FULLY CLOSED OVER THE COMPLETE LENGTH

LOCAL ROADS

• Colville Rd is CLOSED in several places due to overslips.
• Coromandel to Oamaru Bay            Closed
• Oamaru Bay to Amodeo Bay            Closed
• Amodeo Bay to Colville                    Closed
• Colville to Port Jackson Road      Closed
• Kennedy Bay Rd is CLOSED multiple over slips and dropouts near fairy falls and devil’s elbow.
• Wentworth Valley Rd is CLOSED due to flooding.

There are reports of surface flooding across the entire network we would advise against any unnecessary travel. If you must travel, please allow extra time for your journey and take emergency supplies with you. Please check the Waka Kotahi web site for updated information on state highway issues.

Roading teams are out to assess and clear damage. 

ONGOING

• Hot Water Beach Rd is CLOSED Between SH 25 and Parangi Road due to flooding.
• Purangi Rd is CLOSED Between Hahei Road And Cook Beach due to Trees down.
• The 309 Rd is CLOSED roughly 2.5km and 13km from the Coromandel End. Two crews working from both ends to get this opened as soon as possible. No ETA on opening at this stage.
• Hikuai Settlement Rd is CLOSED due to flooding.
• Maramarahi Rd is CLOSED due to flooding
• Tapu Coroglen Road is CLOSED and impassable for the foreseeable future. Location is 10km from Tapu. Additional slips have also come down blocking the road.
• Te Kouma Road is CLOSED due to a large tree/slip blocking the road. Additional material continues to fall making it unsafe to continue to clear.
• Waikawau Beach Road is CLOSED due to flooding.
• Kauaeranga Valley Rd is CLOSED due to flooding
• Davey Street, Thames is CLOSED due to flooding
• Koputauaki Bridge, Colville Road - TM will be on standby on site as precaution for a dam breach event upriver of the bridge.

OPEN TO ONE LANE

• Tuateawa Road - Multiple Slips
• Port Charles Road - Multiple Slips
• Black Jack Road - Multiple Slips
• Port Jackson Road – Multiple Slips
• Neavesville Rd – 1 lane section at the 4km mark.

 Power outages

Power Outages ALL COMMUNITIES ALONG EAST COAST

• Tairua  Properties affected:   600   Power off: Feb 13, 2023, 2:48 AM
• Whitianga  Properties affected:   554  Power off: Feb 13, 2023, 5:14 PM
• Hahei Properties affected:   1130 Power off: Feb 13, 2023, 4:59 PM
• Whangamata Properties affected:   651  Power off: Feb 13, 2023, 11:47 PM
• Opoutere Properties affected:   204  Power off: Feb 13, 2023, 7:23 PM
• Opito Properties affected:   4274  Power off: Feb 12, 2023, 8:52 PM
• Matarangi Properties affected:   1600  Power off: Feb 13, 2023, 1:25 PM
• Kuaotunu West Properties affected:   841  Power off: Feb 13, 2023, 8:14 AM
• Whangapoua Properties affected:   477 Power off: Feb 13, 2023, 7:07 AM
• Port Charles  Properties affected:   324  Power off: Feb 13, 2023, 1:06 AM
• Matatoki Properties affected:   424  Power off: Feb 13, 2023, 8:22 PM
• Puriri Properties affected: 49 Power off: Feb 12, 2023, 6:57 PM

Facilities Update

• For now, Council offices including Thames, Whitianga, Coromandel Town are open. Whangamatā  is closed. This may change, so keep an eye on Council messaging for updates.
• All Kerbside pick-ups have been cancelled for today
• All Refuse Transfer Stations are closed for today.
• Thames Pool closed

• All district Libraries are closed today.

More facilities and services may be affected today. Keep an eye on Council messaging for further updates.