MetService Severe Weather Warnings

Heavy Rain Warning - Orange

Issued: 10:19am Sun 16 February
Next Update: 9:00pm Sun 16 February

Situation

A low to the north of the country directs a humid subtropical flow over New Zealand, bringing heavy rain to parts of the North Island on Monday. Meanwhile, a front moves over the South Island from the Tasman Sea on Tuesday.

Area: Gisborne/Tairawhiti north of Tolaga Bay

Period: 24hrs from 9:00pm Sun to 9:00pm Mon

Forecast: Expect 100 to 120 mm of rain. Peak rates of 10 to 15 mm/h expected Monday morning and afternoon.
Minimal chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.

Impact: Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible.

Action: Clear your drains and gutters to prepare for heavy rain. Avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously.

Wave Warning for Potikirua Point (Cape Runaway) to Whangara

Issued by MetService at 11:33 am Saturday 15-Feb-2025

Valid from 4:00am 17 February to 4:00am 18 February

Combined Wave: Northeast combined waves rising to 4.5 to 5 metres Monday morning, then easing below 4 metres Tuesday morning. Peak period 11 seconds.

Swell: Northeast swell rising to 3.5 to 4.5 metres Monday morning, then easing below 3.5 metres Tuesday morning. Period 11 seconds.

Wind Wave: Northeast wind waves 2 metres.

Pressure: Minimum pressure 1005.7hPa forecast 4am Tue 18th. Maximum pressure 1016.8hPa forecast 4am Mon 17th.

Tides: The highest risk period is typically at or within 1-2 hours of high tide

Gisborne high tides: 10:19am Mon 17th, 10:40pm Mon 17th.

Next issue by 2:00pm 16 February

A reminder to keep a watch for land movement

If you’re on a hilly section please check your land and contact us if you notice any cracks, creaking noises, doors sticking in your home or retaining walls leaning. Call us on 800 653 800.

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Weather alerts and road info

The map displays the latest MetService alerts, local roads and Waka Kotahi NZTA state highway information. For more information, see our local road information

MetService weather for our region

Recovery following Cyclone Gabrielle

Please see our Flood Recovery webpage

Disasters happen any time - are you prepared?

It's important you're ready to cope on your own for up to 3 days or more. Here's a guide for what you need as a minimum:

• An emergency plan - where to meet family and how to contact one another if separated.
• Prepare a grab bag of essential items.
• Enough food in your home to last 2-3 days.
• Know where to get water, if your usual supply is not available.
• Alternative lighting - a torch with spare batteries or a wind up one, gas lantern or light-sticks.
• Battery operated or wind up radio and spare batteries - don't forget your car radio as a last resort.
• First aid kit, make sure it includes any essential medications.
• Blankets, survival blankets or warm waterproof clothing.
• Alternative cooking methods, BBQ or gas cooker.
• Store important family documents where you can get them easily.

For more information - Get ready

Emergency status and what they mean

No Civil Defence emergency

Always be prepared, a sudden event can occur at any time.

Weather warning

When MetService issue a new warning the status will change to 'Weather Warning' when the event actually starts the Civil Defence status will change to 'Alert or Activated' depending on the events severity.

Alert or Activated

We've been alerted to a possible situation and Civil Defence is in a monitoring and information gathering mode:

• MetService and the event has started, or
• Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences, or
• Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management, or
• Other warning systems such as telemetry / flood warning.

Declared emergency

A state of local emergency declared under section 68 or section 69 of the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002. An emergency means a situation that:

• is the result of any happening, whether natural or otherwise, including, without limitation, any explosion, earthquake, eruption, tsunami, land movement, flood, storm, tornado, cyclone, serious fire, leakage or spillage of any dangerous gas or substance, technological failure, infestation, plague, epidemic, failure of or disruption to an emergency service or a lifeline utility, or actual or imminent attack or warlike act; and
• causes or may cause loss of life or injury or illness or distress or in any way endangers the safety of the public or property in New Zealand or any part of New Zealand; and
• cannot be dealt with by emergency services, or otherwise requires a significant and coordinated response under the Act.

State of National Emergency

Declared under Section 66 of the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002.