Debris strewn across State Highway 2 between Wairoa and Nūhaka on Friday morning. Photo / Facebook
Debris strewn across State Highway 2 between Wairoa and Nūhaka on Friday morning. Photo / Facebook
Heavy rainfall and gusty winds in northern Hawke’s Bay have caused slips and trees to fall across roads and at least one power outage.
One vehicle was badly damaged after hitting a rock slip on Nūhaka Opoutama Rd near Mahia, amid the wild weather on Friday.
Fortunately, no one was injured in that incident.
Police issued a warning mid-afternoon on Friday to “only travel in this area if it’s essential to do so” along State Highway 2 between Morere and Wharerata Rd Lookout at Bartletts (on the boundary of Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne), due to “trees down in many places”.
Despite the warning, NZTA Waka Kotahi had not closed that section of highway as at 3.30pm.
Some Wairoa residents were also warned of “a possibility” of surface flooding near houses on Ngamotu Rd, which is the opposite side of Wairoa River to the main township, heading into Friday late afternoon and evening.
An orange heavy rain warning remains in place for the Wairoa district until noon on Saturday, according to MetService.
High winds have also been reported across Hawke’s Bay.
A regional council update on Friday afternoon stated there was potential for surface flooding in parts of Wairoa as the day progressed.
“Our forecast shows that river levels in Wairoa will continue to rise until 6pm this evening [Friday],” the post read.
The Wairoa River at Marumaru at 1pm on Thursday (left) and 1pm on Friday. Photo / HBRC
“There is likely to be surface flooding around the swing set in the playground near the yacht club. It’s unlikely to reach Kopu Road.
“On the Ngamotu Lagoon side of the Wairoa River, there’s a possibility of surface flooding near the houses on Ngamotu Road. Contact has been made with the residents.
“At Nuhaka, the river mouth is open, and we’re keeping a close watch on the surf, which is currently higher than the beach crest.”
“Our teams are actively monitoring the situation and will keep you updated as things progress. Take care.”
Meanwhile, high winds led to a tree falling and temporarily blocking a main road near Haumoana on Friday morning, which had to be cleared, and The Strawberry Patch in Havelock North closed early due to another tree down.
A fallen tree across power lines caused an early-morning power outage in the Te Haroto area to about 150 properties up SH5 Napier-Taupō Rd.
The Wairoa River mouth on Friday morning. Photo / HBRC
About 34 of those properties were still without power as of 11.30am on Friday.
“One hundred and 25 of these customers will have another outage early this afternoon [Friday] – currently planned for between 12 and 2 – this is to make permanent repairs after another tree fell through our lines yesterday morning [Thursday],” a Unison spokeswoman said.
Mahia police community constable Chad Prentice said, about noon on Friday, the rain and winds were still heavy.
“Right now the winds are absolutely raging and the rain is still tumbling.”
Prentice said there were some slips and debris on the roads, including on SH2 between Wairoa and Gisborne, and people should drive carefully. That highway was still open as of 2pm on Friday.
“I think sometimes people get lost in the haste and drive a little bit quick, and with all the surface water it is a recipe to have a mishap,” he said.
“Around Mahia, we have got several trees that are damaged and across the roads, and lots of surface water, and rockslides and things like that.”
He said there had been a few minor crashes on Friday morning.
In one incident a vehicle hit a rockslide in Nūhaka Opoutama Rd, causing significant damage to the vehicle.
“No one was injured, fortunately.”
Prentice said it was quiet around Mahia and that was unusual for this time of year. Mahia is a holiday beach destination, particularly in the New Year period.
“With high swells and the wind and the rain – and it’s looking like it is going to continue through the New Year period – it is not looking good,” he said.
“It is a bit of a shame for the local businesses, particularly for this time of year when a lot of them make money.”
Firstlight Network, which oversees the electricity network in Wairoa and Gisborne, has been contacted about outages in that area.
Firstlight posted on Facebook mid-morning on Friday that “the weather is causing trees and other debris to come down across the region“.
“Please treat power lines as live at all times and stay well clear.”
Heavy rainfall in the Wairoa-Nuhaka area was highlighted in Hawke’s Bay Regional Council figures with 181.5mm at Pukeorapa Station in the 36 hours to early Friday afternoon, including 91.5mm since midnight. 136mm at Kopuawharo, including 104.5mm since midnight, and 89.5mm on the Wairoa River at Marumaru.
According to Hawke’s Bay Today’s daily weather figures, Mahia had more than 171mm of rain this month to Thursday night, more than double the site’s December average.
The heaviest 36-hour rainfall in the eastern region of the Napier-Taupo road was the 48mm at Te Pohue.
Further south, among the highest recordings were 55mm at Waimarama and 65mm at Waipoapoa, but the Napier and Hastings area and the plains had moderate rainfall, generally under 40mm.
Gary Hamilton-Irvine is a Hawke’s Bay-based reporter who covers a range of news topics including business, councils, breaking news and cyclone recovery. He formerly worked at News Corp Australia.
