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Cyclone Vaianu is set to hit on Sunday afternoon, with MetService calling it a “multi-hazard, potentially life-threatening event”. Hawke’s Bay and Tararua are under orange weather warnings. Residents living in coastal areas of Hastings from Te Awanga to Waimārama were told to evacuate by 5pm on Saturday. Residents of coastal Central Hawke’s Bay were told to evacuate by midday Sunday. A local state of emergency has been declared in multiple areas including coastal Hawke’s Bay. Do you have photos, video or updates to share about Cyclone Vaianu? Email us at news@hbtoday.co.nz People are being urged to stay home and stop sightseeing on the coast as Cyclone Vaianu begins its descent towards Hawke’s Bay. A windsurfer was seen out for a sail off the coast of Napier about 1pm on Sunday. Police were called to Marine Parade about 25 minutes earlier as onlookers jumped the fence to the closed viewing platform, with video capturing them being splashed by waves. A police spokesperson said they received a request to check Marine Parade about 12.35pm. “On attendance we found some spectators in the area who were given safety advice given the current warnings and advisories in place. “For your safety, please avoid bodies of water, such as the ocean or rivers, while this weather event is ongoing. A person was spotted windsurfing off Westshore in Napier on Sunday. Photo / Napier City “Police need to be able to focus on priority calls for service. “Please heed any temporary fencing/warning signs and do not put yourself at risk. “We urge members of the public to stay home unless advised otherwise by local authorities, or if you feel it is unsafe to do so.” A Napier City Council spokesperson told residents to stay off all beaches and coastal paths during the cyclone. The council said people should not be surfing, swimming or fishing and they should avoid viewing waves from shorelines or exposed areas. “These conditions can change quickly and become life-threatening without warning.” Evacuation of coastal Central Hawke’s Bay Coastal areas of Central Hawke’s Bay were at 11.30am being told to evacuate due to the potential for Cyclone Vaianu’s impacts to be “life threatening”. Central Hawke’s Bay District Council said MetService had on Sunday morning issued an Orange Heavy Rain Warning for the coastal hills south of Cape Kidnappers. “This could affect smaller streams and catchments towards the coast and impact the ability to get out later. “The combination of damaging winds, the increased heavy rain and coastal inundation makes this a multi-hazard, potentially life-threatening event. “The impacts associated with Cyclone Vaianu, are power outages, falling trees, flooding, slips and road closures. “We are strongly advising people in coastal areas to evacuate now. Waves whipped up by Cyclone Vaianu at high tide in Te Awanga, Hawke's Bay. Photos / Warren Buckland “It is likely that the roads and access will be affected, meaning emergency services will not be able to reach our coastal communities. It is possible we will not be able to open access for an extended period of time.” Areas to evacuate immediately include these beach communities: Mangakuri Kairākau Pourerere Aramoana/Shoal Bay Blackhead Whangaheu The area did not currently include Te Paerahi or Pōrangahau. There is a Civil Defence Centre at St Peter’s Church, 52 Kenilworth Street, Waipawa, for impacted coastal communities. Maraes that are opening as community hubs, in addition to the Civil Defence Centre are: Te Whatuiāpiti Marae – 1080 Te Aute Trust Road, Poukawa Mataweka Marae – 194 Tapairu Road, Waipawa Rongomaraeroa Marae – 27 Pah Road, Pōrangahau A localised state of emergency for the Central Hawke’s Bay coastal communities of Kairakau, Blackhead and Pourerere Beaches was declared by CHB Mayor Will Foley on Saturday. Foley said on Sunday people in those areas should self-evacuate. “Please do so now - come inland where it’s safer.” More than 500 evacuated from Haumoana to Waimar...
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