A 'red' heavy rain warning has been issued for Gisborne and Wairoa as New Zealand braces for the impact of Cyclone Fili as it moves closer to the North Island.
The warning for Gisborne comes into effect at 10pm on Tuesday, and Wairoa's from 1am Wednesday, and comes as Gisborne is still recovering from extreme weather events just three weeks ago.
"In just 24 hours from 10pm tonight (Tuesday), 200-300mm of rain can be expected to accumulate in Tairawhiti Gisborne, while the Wairoa District can expect 250-350mm starting 1am Wednesday, with very large rainfall rates of up to 35-50mm/hr," said MetService meteorologist David Miller.
"This amount of rainfall could cause dangerous river conditions, slips and significant flooding, making some roads impassable and possibly isolating communities."
People in these areas are advised to avoid outdoor activities and unnecessary travel during this event, and to stay up to date with the latest weather warnings, and advice from local authorities.
"The rest of the North Island will also feel some impacts from Fili, with a number of Severe Weather Watches and Orange Warnings issued. However, due to the cyclone tracking further east, heavy rain is looking less likely for some other parts in western areas of the North Island," Miller said.
Orange warnings for heavy rain and watches are in effect for northern and eastern parts of the North Island from Northland and Auckland down to the Bay of Plenty and Hawke's Bay south of the Wairoa District. The entire North Island is under either an orange warning for strong wind or a watch, with those in central and eastern areas expected to get the strongest gusts.
Waka Kotahi NZTA is advising Northlanders to prepare for heavy rain and strong winds on Tuesday afternoon, and said drivers should be on alert for changing conditions, including surface flooding and slips.
"Cyclone Fili is expected to deliver heavy rain and strong winds to Northland this afternoon, which can make for difficult driving conditions," said Waka Kotahi regional manager of maintenance and operations Mark Owen.
"If you must travel, please slow down and maintain a greater following distance. Remember vehicles need three times more stopping distance in wet conditions."
Earlier, Hawke's Bay Civil Defence warned the brunt of the heavy rain would likely impact the Wairoa and Gisborne regions.
Hawke's Bay Civil Defence Group controller Ian MacDonald said the wet conditions would likely cause further slips and damage on already saturated land.
"Residents need to be prepared for heavy rain, strong winds and large waves," he said in a statement on Monday evening.
"We were briefed by senior MetService meteorologists this morning and their advice is that Fili will be a fast moving but significant event, especially in the northeast of the North Island.
"Councils have activated their incident management teams and started preparing their infrastructure and staff for possible impacts."
AMI, State, and NZI Insurance said they are monitoring weather advice and told North Islanders to take precautionary measures in preparation for the storm.
"As always, our customer response teams are ready to support customers should they need to make a claim. We would also encourage people to take a few steps now to help reduce their risk," said IAG's executive general manager of claims Wayne Tippet.
"It's a good idea to secure loose objects outside your home or move them indoors if you can. Trampolines and rubbish bins can become dangerous debris if picked up in high winds. I would also recommend that you clear your gutters before the rain starts, as that can make a big difference. If there is a chance flood waters may reach your home, move your valuables, appliances, and furniture off the floor wherever you can."
AMI, State, and NZI customers can now refer to a new one-stop digital resource if they are affected by a storm or other natural disaster.
"The Disaster Claims Hub provides thorough information on how to prepare for a storm, and what to do afterwards if you need to make a claim. It also covers information such as what to do if your house becomes unsafe, access to temporary accommodation, emergency repairs and so on," Tippet said.
SPCA is urging pet owners to have an emergency plan in place and people in affected areas should bring their animals inside, where possible.
"Storms can be highly distressing for some animals so it's a good idea to keep them near people they feel safe with until the worst of the weather passes through," SPCA area manager Sue Kinsella said.
"It's also really important to have a plan in place should you need to evacuate; make sure you have enough pet food, blankets and any medications your pet might require if you’re unable to return home straight away."
People with outdoor animals should make sure they have sufficient shelter to protect them from the elements and that enclosures such as rabbit hatches are secured. If your pasture is prone to flooding, make sure animals have access to higher ground with shelter and feed.
"While we hope the weather won't be too severe, it's always good to take those extra precautions in case of flooding or strong wind gusts that have the potential to wreak havoc. If you're unable to bring your pets inside, you should check on them when possible, while of course bearing your own safety in mind," Kinsella said.
Anyone with concerns about their own pets or other animals should contact the SPCA.
Farmers on the East Coast were preparing for the extreme weather event after already battling floods this year. AgFirst managing director James Allen said lessons had been learnt from the recent Cyclone Dovi.
"One of the key precautions for some farmers is going to be ensuring a back up supply for their generators for power, and also thinking about wind and tree damage," Allen told AM.
MacDonald urged people in the East Coast region, particularly rural communities, to be prepared.
"Ensure you have enough food, fuel and supplies for at least three days and please reach out to your neighbours and those who were impacted during the last rain event to ensure they are prepared as well.
"Driving conditions may be hazardous, so please drive to the conditions and if in doubt delay your travel.
"Everyone in Hawke's Bay needs to keep up-to-date with the forecast and conditions over the next few days."
All camping areas in the Gisborne region have been closed ahead of the storm's predicted arrival.
"There can be no new arrivals at campgrounds from today," Gisborne District Council liveable communities acting director De-Arne Sutherland said on Tuesday afternoon.
"Those who do arrive will be asked to relocate to a commercial campground where they can be better supported through this next weather event.
"There is a real risk to campers' safety with this new weather event forecast to hit Tairāwhiti tonight."
WeatherWatch earlier warned eastern Northland and parts of Auckland and Waikato were on the edge of the storm - which was expected to quickly move over the upper North Island on Tuesday night.
MetService has also issued heavy rain warnings for Northland, Great Barrier Island and Coromandel - with big downpours expected between 9am on Tuesday until at least 7am on Wednesday.
"The low is now rapidly deepening as it approaches the upper North Island and will move in quickly tonight/overnight and Wednesday - before entirely clearing the North Island by Thursday morning," WeatherWatch said in a statement.
A strong wind watch is also in place for Northland from 3pm on Tuesday for at least 24 hours.
