Manawatu-Whanganui Emergency Management urges residents and visitors to be ready for Cyclone Vaianu

People in the Manawatū-Whanganui Region should take steps to prepare for Cyclone Vaianu, which is forecast to impact the region on Sunday.

MetService New Zealand updated weather watches and warnings at 10am today, with the entire North Island under a watch or warning.

• Rangitīkei, Whanganui and Ruapehu – a strong wind warning is in place from 1pm until 11pm Sunday. Severe gale southeasterlies changing to severe gale southwesterly are forecast for Sunday evening, gusting 120km/h in exposed places.
• Tararua – a strong wind watch is in place from noon Sunday until 9am Monday. There is a high chance of an upgrade to a strong wind warning. Tararua also has a heavy rain watch in place from 11am until 11pm Sunday. There is a moderate chance of an upgrade to a heavy rain warning.
• Manawatū (including Palmerston North), Horowhenua – a strong wind watch is in place from 11am Sunday until 6am Monday. There is a high chance of an upgrade to a strong wind warning. 

MetService says Cyclone Vaianu is expected to bringing damaging winds, heavy rain, and the potential for coastal inundation.

Manawatū-Whanganui Emergency Management group controller Craig Grant says watches and warnings of this size and scale are rare, which show how seriously everyone should take this weather event.

“For our region, extremely strong wind and heavy rain is forecast. High winds could see trees come down, power outages, and other disruption. Heavy rain may cause flooding, which may close roads, disrupt travel and trigger landslides.”

Mr Grant says emergency management staff have been monitoring the situation since early in the week, having regular meetings with national and regional agencies, and are in regular contact with Horizons Regional Council’s hydrology team and MetService to get a better idea of how the weather may impact the region.

“We are setting up our Group Emergency Coordination Centre and will have staff rostered on throughout the weekend, including overnight Sunday, to ensure we can respond to whatever Cyclone Vaianu brings.

“Other agencies, including power companies and LandSAR, are all working to increas resources and ensure they are strategically placed around the region so they can respond as required.”

With it being school holidays and peak hunting season during the roar, people thinking of travelling – especially if they’re considering heading into rough country for hunting – should think twice, says Mr Grant.

“We know having to postpone or cancel plans is the last thing people want. However, the forecast weather indicates Sunday is a day where you should be looking to stay indoors and safe rather than travelling or going bush.

“Sadly, people have died during recent weather events across the country. It is better to stay safe than take risks and assume things will be okay. This is not the time for a ‘she’ll be right’ attitude.

“While we continue to prepare, we are again asking people to take some time over the coming days to check that they’re prepared for any severe weather that may arrive.”

Mr Grant says people can get advice about how to prepare, as well as the latest weather watches and warnings in real-time, on our website.

Key preparations people can make between now and Sunday include:

• Securing outdoor furniture and structures
• Relocating items from flood-prone areas of properties.
• Relocating stock from flood prone areas and bringing pets inside.
• Organise supplies, including food and medications ready in case of any power outages or periods of isolation.
• Having a grab bag and a plan in case evacuations are required.

For more tips on preparing for severe weather see: https://www.mwcdem.govt.nz/regional-hazards/storms. 

If you, your family and/or your property are at risk, immediately contact emergency services on 111.

Manawatū-Whanganui Emergency Management Group will post key updates on its Facebook page and website, as well as providing them to media outlets.