Historical emergencies

  Severe Wind Warning in place for the Bay of Plenty  Northwest winds are expected to strengthen overnight Saturday to Sunday. Winds may briefly reach severe gale with gusts of 120 km/h in exposed places from late Saturday night until dawn Sunday.  

Mt Ruapehu remains in a state of volcanic unrest. The temperature of the summit Crater Lake has declined slightly and is now 39 ºC, down from a high of 46 ºC. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 2 (moderate to heightened unrest). The Aviation Colour Code is also unchanged at Yellow. GNS Science volcanologists continue to closely monitor Ruapehu through the GeoNet project. The Department of Conservation have issued a warning to climbers and trampers on Mt Ruapehu, not to enter the Summit Hazard Zone on the mountain until further notice.

A magnitude 7.3 earthquake in the Vanuatu Islands at 0733 NZ time poses no potential tsunami threat for New Zealand.

The Volcanic Alert level for White Island has been lowered from Level 2 to Level 1. The Aviation Colour Code remains Yellow. The level of volcanic unrest at White Island (Whakaari) has declined following the eruption on April 27. Both volcanic gas output and seismic activity have decreased. Visual observations from a flight on Friday and seismic observations confirm no further eruptive activity has occurred. Volcanic Alert Level 1 indicates minor volcanic unrest continues.

There is no Tsunami threat to NZ following the magnitude 7.7 earthquake off the coast of Ecuador today at 1159 NZST

A state of local emergency was declared for Franz Josef at 2:00am on 24 March 2016 as a result of the Waiho River flooding. Westland Civil Defence has issued a boil water notice for the whole of the Franz Josef town water supply area. This will stay in effect until further notice as a safety precaution. The town water supply is secure for the main town area and work is continuing to confirm the integrity of the supply to the wider Franz Josef area particularly to the north of the Town Centre. There is currently no unbooked overnight accommodation available in the greater Franz Josef area. There is a Red Cross Welfare Centre set up in the town and on standby if needed. All state highways north and south of Franz Josef are currently open and all booked accommodation will be honoured unless visitors are contacted by accommodation providers directly. The Civil Defence state of emergency will stay in place overnight and will be reviewed at 9.00am tomorrow morning (25 March 2016).

Canterbury Earthquake: No Tsunami Threat. See civildefence.govt.nz for more information.

Media release 14 February 2016 Christchurch Earthquake The National Crisis Management Centre has been stood down following its earlier activation to monitor today’s earthquake in Christchurch. Sarah Stuart-Black, Director, Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management (MCDEM) says the response to this earthquake has been managed locally by Christchurch City Council. The National Crisis Management Centre was activated to monitor the situation and coordinate support across Government if it was required.

The MetService has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning which affects the following local government areas: AUCKLAND CITY, WAIKATO and FRANKLIN. At 01:45 pm, MetService weather radar detected severe thunderstorms near PUKEKOHE, DRURY, BOMBAY, ARARIMU, POKENO, MARAMARUA, MANGATAWHIRI and MERCER. These severe thunderstorms are moving towards the northnorthwest, and are expected to lie near PAPAKURA, HUNUA, MANUKAU, DRURY, ARARIMU, POKENO, MARAMARUA, BOMBAY, MANGATAWHIRI, MERCER and ARARIMU at 02:15 pm and near AUCKLAND, PAPAKURA, HOWICK, HUNUA, MANUKAU, SOUTH AUCKLAND, POKENO, HUNUA, DRURY, BOMBAY, MANGATAWHIRI, THE HUNUA RANGES and ARARIMU at 02:45 pm. These thunderstorms are expected to be accompanied by very heavy rain and large hail. Very heavy rain can cause surface and/or flash flooding about streams, gullies and urban areas, and make driving conditions extremely hazardous. Large hail can cause significant damage to crops, orchards, vines, glasshouses and vehicles, and make driving conditions hazardous. Where thunderstorms form, surface flooding is likely and localised flooding of streams. Small localised tornadoes can be associated with severe thunderstorms. If you have to travel drive to the conditions. If driving, be ready to slow down or stop if it is safe to do so. **During and after a thunderstorm** - Take shelter, preferably indoors away from windows. - Avoid sheltering under trees if outside. - Beware of fallen trees and power lines. - Stay up to date with weather forecasts. - Report flooding to council on 09 301 0101. **Take the link below to find out what to do before a thunderstorm.**

The MetService has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning which affects the following local government areas: AUCKLAND CITY, WAIKATO and FRANKLIN. At 01:45 pm, MetService weather radar detected severe thunderstorms near PUKEKOHE, DRURY, BOMBAY, ARARIMU, POKENO, MARAMARUA, MANGATAWHIRI and MERCER. These severe thunderstorms are moving towards the northnorthwest, and are expected to lie near PAPAKURA, HUNUA, MANUKAU, DRURY, ARARIMU, POKENO, MARAMARUA, BOMBAY, MANGATAWHIRI, MERCER and ARARIMU at 02:15 pm and near AUCKLAND, PAPAKURA, HOWICK, HUNUA, MANUKAU, SOUTH AUCKLAND, POKENO, HUNUA, DRURY, BOMBAY, MANGATAWHIRI, THE HUNUA RANGES and ARARIMU at 02:45 pm. These thunderstorms are expected to be accompanied by very heavy rain and large hail. Very heavy rain can cause surface and/or flash flooding about streams, gullies and urban areas, and make driving conditions extremely hazardous. Large hail can cause significant damage to crops, orchards, vines, glasshouses and vehicles, and make driving conditions hazardous. Where thunderstorms form, surface flooding is likely and localised flooding of streams. Small localised tornadoes can be associated with severe thunderstorms. If you have to travel drive to the conditions. If driving, be ready to slow down or stop if it is safe to do so. **During and after a thunderstorm** - Take shelter, preferably indoors away from windows. - Avoid sheltering under trees if outside. - Beware of fallen trees and power lines. - Stay up to date with weather forecasts. - Report flooding to council on 09 301 0101. **Take the link below to find out what to do before a thunderstorm.**

MetService have advised that there is a HIGH risk of severe thunderstorms which may form on mainland Auckland today. Some storms may impact Waiheke Island, the Hauraki Gulf and Great Barrier but these are not expected to be as intense. Auckland will start to see showers forming soon, and thunderstorms between 2pm and 5pm, some of these these thunderstorms are likely to become SEVERE and they have potential to deliver rainfall rates of 25 to 40mm/hr. Hail between 10 and 20mm is also possible. Where thunderstorms form, surface flooding is likely and localised flooding of streams, may occur. Small localised tornadoes can be associated with severe thunderstorms. If you have to travel drive to the conditions. If driving, be ready to slow down or stop if it is safe to do so. **During and after a thunderstorm** - Take shelter, preferably indoors away from windows. - Avoid sheltering under trees if outside. - Beware of fallen trees and power lines. - Stay up to date with weather forecasts. - Report flooding to council on 09 301 0101. **Take the link below to find out what to do before a thunderstorm.**

MetService have advised that there is a HIGH risk of severe thunderstorms which may form in the extreme west and south of Auckland this evening. Some of these thunderstorms are likely to become SEVERE and they have potential to deliver rainfall rates of 25 to 40mm/hr. Hail between 10 and 20mm is also possible. Where thunderstorms form, surface flooding is likely and localised flooding of streams, may occur. Small localised tornadoes can be associated with severe thunderstorms. If you have to travel drive to the conditions. If driving, be ready to slow down or stop if it is safe to do so. **During and after a thunderstorm** - Take shelter, preferably indoors away from windows. - Avoid sheltering under trees if outside. - Beware of fallen trees and power lines. - Stay up to date with weather forecasts. - Report flooding to council on 09 301 0101. **Take the link below to find out what to do before a thunderstorm.**

A severe thunderstorm watch is in place for the Eastern Bay of Plenty with  Whakatane, Ohope, Edgecumbe, Kawerau, Awkaponga, Matata and surrounding areas experiencing very heavy rainfall.  The metservice the ave advised that this should pass through quickly and have cleared by 10pm.

  This warning affects people in the following local government areas: WHAKATANE and TAUPO.   At 05:00 pm, MetService weather radar detected severe thunderstorms near TAUPO.   These severe thunderstorms are moving towards the east.   These thunderstorms are expected to be accompanied by torrential rain.   Torrential rain can cause surface and/or flash flooding about streams, gullies and urban areas, and make driving conditions extremely hazardous.   The Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management advises that as storms approach you should: - Take shelter, preferably indoors away from windows; - Avoid sheltering under trees, if outside; - Move cars under cover or away from trees; - Secure any loose objects around your property; - Check that drains and gutters are clear; - Be ready to slow down or stop, if driving. During and after the storm, you should also: - Beware of fallen trees and power lines; - Avoid streams and drains as you may be swept away in flash flooding.  

Update to Heavy Rain Warning for Bay Of Plenty Issued 09:00pm Monday 18 Jan 2016 Bay of Plenty west of Whakatane, including Rotorua A short period of intense heavy rain is expected early Tuesday morning. In the 6 to 9 hours from about 1am Tuesday expect 50 to 80mm to accumulate. Peak intensities 20 to 30mm per hour and thunderstorms possible.

AREA/S AFFECTED Bay of Plenty west of Whakatane, including Rotorua FORECAST A short period of intense heavy rain is expected early Tuesday morning. In the 6 hours from about 2am to 8am Tuesday expect 50 to 80mm to accumulate. Peak intensities 20 to 30mm per hour in possible thunderstorms. NEXT SEVERE WEATHER WARNING WILL BE ISSUED AT OR BEFORE 9:00 pm Monday 18-Jan-2016

MetService have advised that there is a risk of thunderstorms which may form in Auckland throughout the day. Where thunderstorms form heavy rain is likely with rainfall rates of up to 25 mm an hour expected there is moderate confidence that some of these may become severe with rainfall rates up to 45 mm an hour possible. Wind gusts this afternoon may also be strong with gusts of up to 90km possible. Such rainfall rates may last one to two hours and have the potential to cause flash flooding, especially about low-lying areas. Driving conditions may also become hazardous with surface flooding and poor visibility during heavy rain. In some instances small tornadoes can form with severe thunderstorms, if these do occur they will only affect very localised areas. If you have to travel drive to the conditions. If driving, be ready to slow down or stop if it is safe to do so. **During and after a thunderstorm** - Take shelter, preferably indoors away from windows. - Avoid sheltering under trees if outside. - Beware of fallen trees and power lines. - Stay up to date with weather forecasts. - Report flooding to council on 09 301 0101. **Take the link below to find out what to do before a thunderstorm.**

MetService have advised that there is a risk of thunderstorms which may form in Auckland throughout the day. Where thunderstorms form heavy rain is likely with rainfall rates of up to 25mm/hr expected. There is a moderate confidence that some of these may become severe with rainfall rates up to 45mm/hr possible. Wind gusts this afternoon may also be strong with gusts of greater than 110km/hr possible. Such rainfall rates may last one to two hours and have the potential to cause flash flooding, especially about low-lying areas. Driving conditions may also become hazardous with surface flooding and poor visibility during heavy rain. In some instances small tornadoes can form with severe thunderstorms, if these do occur they will only affect very localised areas. If you have to travel drive to the conditions. If driving, be ready to slow down or stop if it is safe to do so. **During and after a thunderstorm** - Take shelter, preferably indoors away from windows. - Avoid sheltering under trees if outside. - Beware of fallen trees and power lines. - Stay up to date with weather forecasts. - Report flooding to council on 09 301 0101. **Take the link below to find out what to do before a thunderstorm.**

MetService have advised that heavy rain is expected in Auckland from Friday morning through to Saturday evening. Areas north of Whangaparaoa Peninsula and Great Barrier Island should expect the most rain with between 100mm and 150mm possible. Rainfall rates between 25mm/hr and 35mm/hr are also possible. For Auckland, South of Whangaparaoa, including Waiheke Island, 50 to 80mm of rain is expected. Rainfall of this amount and intensity can cause flooding, especially about low-lying areas. People camping in low lying areas are urged to be very vigilant as streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Aucklanders are advised to exercise caution. A Severe Wind Watch is also in place as gusty easterly winds may cause powerlines and trees down to fall. Surface flooding may make driving difficult. If you have to travel drive to the conditions. **During and after a storm** - Stay up to date with weather forecasts. - Ensure you are aware of low lying areas that could flood rapidly - Report flooding to council.' - Ensure a torch, radio and spare batteries are to hand. **Take the link below to find out what to do before a storm.**

MetService have advised that heavy rain is expected to continue until 9am Sunday. From 9am Saturday another 60mm is expected to fall. Rainfall intensities of 15 to 20mm/hr is expected during Sunday morning and then the rainfall is expected to ease. Significant flooding is no longer expected with these accumulations and intensities. Surface flooding is likely across Auckland through to Sunday morning. Low lying north facing coastal roads may experience wave splash around the 2pm high tide this afternoon. Localised wind damage such as power lines and trees down are possible in exposed areas. The severe wind watch has been lifted. If you have to travel drive to the conditions. **During and after a storm** - Stay up to date with weather forecasts. - Ensure you are aware of low lying areas that could flood rapidly - Report flooding to council.' - Ensure a torch, radio and spare batteries are to hand. **Take the link below to find out what to do before a storm.**