King tide sparks big swell warning for low-lying areas on West Coast

Thursday, 1 August 2019

Drone footage shows full extent of the damage to the Waiho Bridge, near Franz Josef on the West Coast, in March 2019.

Civil Defence is warning people on the West Coast to stay away from the shoreline during heavy swells and king tides predicted to hit the region.

West Coast Emergency Management Group director Mark Crowe said the region could be hit by flooding, coastal erosion and driftwood being swept above the high tide line during the poor weather.

'Everyone thinking of going down to the shore to have a look, we suggest they don't,' he said.

Damage in Punakaiki after flooding struck the West Coast last year.

'We would prefer people to stay out of harm's way.'

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The Waiho Bridge in Westland was damaged in flood earlier this year.

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A heavy southwest swell is expected to hit the West Coast on Friday afternoon, along with gale south-westerly winds. The front is expected to ease on Saturday, but waves will remain high until Monday.

The waves are expected to rise to 6 metres on Friday afternoon, 8.5m in the evening, before easing back to 5m on Saturday afternoon.

The high tide of 3.6m is at about noon and midnight on Friday, which will coincide with the strong swells.

Crowe said the West Coast could be hit hard by the high waves and king tide.

'We would expect to see some inundation in low lying areas,' he said.

'Driftwood and other materials will be swept up behind normal high tide lines. We may get coastal erosion in areas that are susceptible.'