Prepare for harbour flooding, Tauranga residents warned

Wednesday, 31 January 2018

An incoming storm and weather conditions might push water over the Tauranga Harbour walls, the city council is warning (file photo).

Water might come over the Tauranga's harbour walls when the storm passes.

The king tides, heavy rain and high winds due to come with Tropical Cyclone Fehi could create some 'overtopping' and stormwater ponding, a release from Tauranga City Council said.

Sandbags are one of the storm preparations Tauranga City Councinl is suggesting for people in low-lying areas (file photo).

The weather won't be as bad as it was on January 5, when water did spill over the harbour walls, manager of Emergency Management Paul Baunton said.

'This overtopping may not happen, but we want to warn residents and business of the potential … so they can prepare for it.'

* After the heat, there comes rain, wind and flooding fears

* Whole South Island, parts of North Island on watch for storm**

And advice from MetService and Tonkin and Taylor Ltd is that there's a greater risk of it happening on Thursday and Friday.

Some water may come over north and east facing harbour walls from Thursday afternoon until Friday evening, the release said, and there could be localised ponding of stormwater on Friday morning.

As Fehi heads for Westland it will bring a low pressure system, Baunton said.

Tauranga is also expecting king tides, heavy rain on Friday morning and winds of 40 – 50kmh from the north.

Anyone who lives or works in susceptible areas - low-lying properties near north or east facing harbour margins which flooded last time - should prepare, Baunton said.

'This may include sandbagging, lifting important items off the floor, having an emergency getaway bag prepared and a safe place to go if you think you need to self-evacuate.'