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Flooding has closed roads, surrounded a community hall in Central Hawke’s Bay, and cut power and cellphone coverage and stranded a coastal community in nearby Tararua. By 12pm on Tuesday a flood alarm on the Wainui River, which runs through the coastal community of Herbertville, had been triggered according to Civil Defence Manawatu Whanganui. Herbertville Campground was being prepared for evacuation as a result, it said. MetService on Tuesday morning issued a heavy rain warning for all of Hawke’s Bay south of Tūtira until 3am on Wednesday. Flooding at Omakere Community Hall in Central Hawke's Bay. Photo / Omakere School MetService said to expect 80 to 110 mm of rain to accumulate about the ranges and coastal hills, and lesser amounts elsewhere, in addition to rain that had already fallen by 9am on Tuesday. It said the warning amounts were unlikely near the coast north of Cape Kidnappers. Heavy rain fell across the region overnight, with severe thunderstorms striking coastal areas south of Cape Kidnappers. Several roads have been closed in Central Hawke’s Bay, and the district council was advising people to stay away from beaches and river mouths and avoid streams and drains on Tuesday morning. In a social media update on Tuesday morning, Central Hawke’s Bay District Council said high tide was due at 8.20am, and king tides were being experienced. Coastal areas, particularly in Omakere and parts of Elsthorpe, suffered “wild weather” according to the council update. A webcam view of Pourerere Beach at 8.30am on Tuesday morning. On Tuesday morning, Pourerere Rd, approximately 20km past Omakere Hall Rd, and Elsthorpe Rd, approximately 15km past St Lawrence Rd had closed. Herrick St (Taylors Slab), in Ongaonga, is closed and signage is in place. Blackhead Ford was blocked and will be cleared when conditions allow. Farm Rd was closed due to a tree blocking the road, but has since reopened. The Omakere Hall was also pictured surrounded by floodwaters. Hawke’s Bay Regional Council’s telemetered rainfall figures said 95mm of rain had been recorded at Omakere from midnight to 9am on Tuesday. Flooding at the Omakere Hall in Central Hawke's Bay at 9am on Tuesday. Photo / Central Hawke's Bay District Council A police spokeswoman said police were called about 6.30am with a report of large flooding on State Highway 2, near Ōtāne. The northbound lane was blocked, and police were stood down as a resident cleared the drain. The road was clear about 7.10am. The council said there had also been reports of debris on Pourerere Beach Rd. “Our teams are out across the network assessing and clearing the roads. Elsthorpe Rd in Central Hawke's Bay on Tuesday morning just before 9am. Photo / Central Hawke's Bay District Council “Beware of fallen trees and power lines, avoid streams and drains as you may be swept away in flash flooding. “Please drive carefully and call us on 06 857 8060 if you see any debris or trees on the roads.” A Hawke’s Bay Regional Council spokesperson said on Facebook they were monitoring conditions related to the orange heavy rain warning south of Tūtira. “Overnight there was some heavy rain in Central Hawke’s Bay, with reports of surface flooding and high levels in the smaller side streams. “Our flood forecasting suggests the rainfall and runoff will fill the main rivers approximately to the top of bank, but should not cause issues beyond riverbanks.” Tararua District Tararua District Council is advising people to avoid all unnecessary travel in the district after heavy rain isolated communities and cut power and cellphone coverage. The Herbertville Campground is being prepared for evacuation. Photo / Civil Defence Manawatu Whanganui MetService said a heavy rain warning in Tararua until midnight Tuesday had a low chance of being upgraded to a red warning. It said to expect 70 to 90 mm of rain to accumulate about the ranges and coastal hills, and lesser amounts elsewhere. This is in addition to the rain that has already fa...
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