Heavy rain, strong winds likely
A subtropical low is expected to bring heavy rain and gales to Northland from today. MetService has issued heavy rain and wind watches for the region, with a subtropical low over the Tasman Sea expected to direct a strong moist northeastertly flow onto the upper North Island on Wednesday and Thursday. Some areas may receive warning amounts of rain and severe northeasterly gales. Large northeast swells could bring hazardous conditions to exposed coasts. Heavy rain could cause slips, surface flooding and damage to roads. Severe gales could make driving conditions hazardous, especially for motorcycles and high-sided vehicles and disruption to travel. Trees may be toppled and power lines damaged. Temporary structures such as tents could be affected. People are advised to keep up to date with the latest forecasts from Metservice since it is likely that further watches will be issued and some of the watches may be upgraded to warnings. Northland could get periods of heavy rain, with rainfall amounts possibly approaching warning criteria in the 24 hours from 1am today. Strong winds are expected for 24 hours from 6am today with northeast winds approaching severe gale in exposed places.
Recognition for Covid-19 response
Hundreds of Northlanders are in line for a special honour to recognise their work in the Covid-19 response. The Government has confirmed the groups of frontline workers will receive a Covid-19 Response Recognition Award, a specific acknowledgement of the service given by so many to New Zealand during the pandemic, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced. “All New Zealanders, at home and abroad, played a part in our successful response to Covid-19, and I thank them for that. But we also want to acknowledge those New Zealanders whose roles were particularly critical,” Ardern said. The Covid-19 Response Recognition Award is for sustained and significant service in Managed Isolation and Quarantine Facilities (MIQ); International Border workforce; Covid-19 testing workforce; Covid-19 contact tracing workforce; doctors, nurses, and healthcare staff caring for patients with Covid-19 and the Covid-19 vaccination workforce.
