Cyclone Vaianu Brings Heavy Rain, Flooding Across NZ
Cyclone Vaianu is continuing its track south towards the Bay of Plenty, bringing with it destructive winds, heavy rain, and large swells, says Metservice.
At 10am the cyclone was located about 230km east-northeast of East Cape, Gisborne, and moving south. If it continues its current path, Pam should lie about 180km east of East Cape around 1pm today and just northeast of the Chatham Islands around 1pm Tuesday. Experts predict the cyclone will maintain its current intensity or intensify slightly as it moves southeast.
Strong southeast winds and rain are expected over much of the North Island today, along with extremely large seas about the east coast. MetService is warning residents of the eastern Bay of Plenty and northern parts of Gisborne to prepare for wind gusts of 120kmh or more. Winds of this strength are likely to cause damage to trees and powerlines and could lift roofs and make driving conditions hazardous, say MetService.
Reports from MetService suggest the heaviest rain has been in Gisborne, where more than 130mm has accumulated about the ranges so far. They are forecasting a further 70-100mm in Gisborne and northern Hawkes Bay today, as well as about the coastal hills of Hawkes Bay south of Napier. Rivers and streams in these areas will rise rapidly, and localised surface flooding and slips are likely as well as hazardous driving conditions.
