RNZ understands communities in cut-off regions have limited reception and are unable to download articles and live updates which contain visuals and other embedded information. Updates posted here will contain text only, specifically so those of you in this position can read them.
These updates will be aimed at people in Piha, Coromandel Peninsula, Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne/ Tairāwhiti.
Please look for your region, new updates will have the time they are being posted so people have the most current information.
*Look back here for Wednesday’s text-only updates.
* Read more (contains visuals): Live Cyclone Gabrielle updates: Four deaths, ‘grave concerns’ for several missing
Hawke’s Bay
8.36am: MetService has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Hawkes Bay from 3pm – 10pm on Thursday. A few of the thunderstorms could be severe about the ranges of Hawke’s Bay with localised downpours of 25mm to 40mm per hour and hail.
8.26am: Countdown’s Gisborne, Carlyle (Napier) and Napier supermarkets are still closed, but managing director Spencer Sonn told RNZ they were hoping to reopen the Napier and Carlyle supermarkets later on Thursday.
8.20am: Two New World supermarkets, Onekawa (Napier) and Havelock North, were closed on Thursday morning and eight Four Squares in Hawke’s Bay were not able to open. Foodstuffs is using a helicopter to get produce to Wairoa, and hopes to have road access there on Friday.
7.54am: Napier City Council says water in the taps is safe to drink and it’s important to stay hydrated but use water wisely. Don’t rush to flush, limit showering, do the dishes by hand, wash clothes by hand. Don’t wash down paving and driveways.
7.15am: Hawke’s Bay Civil Defence update:
- Power: The power outage in Napier is expected to be at least two weeks. More details on this to come. Emergency power has been provided for Wellesley Road Medical Centre, Countdown, Caltex Napier
- Water: NCC has connected generators to drinking water supplies, this has assisted with pressure. Napier urges its residents to conserve water while this temporary fix in place. Napier’s wastewater treatment plant is discharging untreated sewage through the outfall to sea, residents are urged to not consume kai moana. It is unknown when the treatment plant will be repaired – to make an assessement we need flood waters to recede and power to be restored. Napier City Council urges residents to only flush toilets when necessary.
- Roading: SH51 Clive – Waitangi Bridge is open to the public, however expect delays, this enables movement between the cities and logistics to Napier. Caution is advised due to road conditions and heavy volumes of traffic.The roading networks north of Napier have been severely compromised with multiple slips and bridge wash outs, assessments have yet to be completed on all of these roads.South of SH2 is open but caution is urged due to flood damage.There are a number of other roads now open with flood damage – please travel with caution.
- Fuel: Fuel supplies have been secured and local stock will be replenished when the port opens – at this stage on Friday 17 February.
- Food: There is no need to panic buy as roads are opening and supermarkets are being restocked as are other essential services.
6.49am A rapid relief team reached Wairoa on Wednesday night night with 500 food packages to hand out.
6.32am Hawke’s Bay Civil Defence said SH51 between Napier and Clive reopened at 8pm Wednesday following assessment by engineers.
6.20am HMNZS Te Mana will sail to Napier today to supply Wairoa with water and other essential supplies.
Gisborne / Tairāwhiti
8.36am: MetService has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Hawkes Bay from 3pm – 10pm on Thursday. A few of the thunderstorms could be severe about the ranges of Gisborne, and Gisborne north of Tolaga Bay, with localised downpours of 25mm to 40mm per hour and hail.
8.20am: Foodstuffs has been using a helicopter to get supplies into Tokomaru Bay, Tolaga Bay and Ruatoria. The supermarket chain is hoping to get road access to Tairāwhiti on Thursday morning in a guided convoy, its chief executive says.
6.30am Another person has died in the cyclone. Police announced a person had died in Gisborne. They say the person is believed to have been caught in flood waters. Four other deaths were already reported, three in Hawke’s Bay and one in Muriwai, Auckland.
6.25am Prime Minister Chris Hipkins is due to fly to Gisborne this morning in what will be his first in-person look at the scale of destruction from the cyclone.
6.20am HMNZS Manawanui set sail for Tairāwhiti at 5pm on Wednesday and was due to arrive at first light Thursday, loaded with water supplies.
Piha
(Earlier)
5.42pm Wednesday: Auckland Emergency Management contracted a private helicopter to help deliver supplies to the region’s coastal communities cut off by road. It delivered food and welfare supplies to the Karekare community. Response teams were dropped into the area to undertake welfare checks.
Waikato including Coromandel Peninsula
6.46am Overnight road closures:
SH23 Karakariki Rd and Waitentuna Valley Rd
SH25 Tapu to Ruamahunga; Te Rerenga to Kuaotunu
SH25A closed the entrie length
National Emergency Management Agency advice:
- Put safety first. Don’t take any chances. Act quickly if you see rising water. Floods and flash floods can happen quickly. If you see rising water do not wait for official warnings. Head for higher ground and stay away from floodwater.
- Stay at home if it is safe to do so. But have an evacuation plan in case your home becomes unsafe to stay in.
- If you have evacuated, please stay where you are until you are given the all-clear to go home.
- People should stay up to date with the forecasts from MetService and continue to follow the advice of Civil Defence and emergency services.
- Do not try to walk, play, swim, or drive in floodwater: even water just 15 centimetres deep can sweep you off your feet, and half a metre of water will carry away most vehicles. Flood water is often contaminated and can make you sick.
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