Further heavy rain causes new damage on SH5
Amidst a heavy rain warning for Gisborne and Wairoa, Glengarry Hill residents woke up to find a large chunk of their section on State Highway 5 had broken free and slipped down the hillside.
With the road now completely impassable, Hawke’s Bay Civil Defence Emergency Management announced the closure of SH5 through Te Pohue this morning.
In Gisborne, many properties have been evacuated with nearby creeks rising by at least two metres. Storm drains are also reported to be overflowing.
People in the area are being urged by Civil Defence to avoid travel if they can.
“Avoid driving through any flood waters. Keep off the roads if possible. If you are out on the road, drive to the conditions and expect delays and hazards.”
State Highway 35 between Ruatoria and Tikitiki was also closed due to flooding just after 7:00 pm last night, leaving locals in Tokomaru Bay cut off.
This second bout of severe rain has arrived just as Fiji’s Meteorological Service named a new weather system, Tropical Cyclone Judy. However, our forecasters predict this will pass by New Zealand “without major impact.” Cyclone Judy is currently located 487 kilometres northeast of Port Vila, Vanuatu.
On Twitter, NIWA had this to say about the new cyclone touring through the Pacific.
“The latest ensemble modelling from the ECMWF (European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts) has most scenarios, or members, moving the tropical system well north and east of New Zealand. Let’s hope it stays that way.”
Gisborne is still under an orange heavy rain warning with more downpours expected throughout the day, but this should clear by tonight. Fine weather is on the outlook for tomorrow afternoon.
