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Severe Thunderstorm warning
Metservice has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for people in the following local areas:
Marlborough, Christchurch and Canterbury Plains
Hurunui, Selwyn and Waimakariri
Darfield, Glentunnel, Hororata, Oxford, Sheffield, Kirwee and Charing Cross.
Cust, Eyrewell Forest and West Eyreton
Oxford, Rangiora, Ashley Forest, Lees Valley
These thunderstorms are expected to be accompanied by very heavy rain, large hail and damaging wind gusts.
What you need to know:
- 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.
- Very strong wind gusts can break branches from trees, damage roofing, and make driving hazardous especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.
The National Emergency Management Agency advises that as storms approach you should:
- Take shelter, preferably indoors away from windows;
- Avoid sheltering under trees, if outside;
- Get back to land, if outdoors on the water;
- 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.
Keep up to date with active MetService warnings here.
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Show us what you've been up to...
Brighten our day, and show us a glimpse into your world, neighbours.
We'd love to see some of the photos you've taken lately or any craft/DIY projects you're working on.
Simply add a photo below 📷🌅 🌻
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Do you have a great recipe for pears?
Kia ora neighbours. We give away free copies to readers whose recipes are used in our magazine, and we're still on the hunt for pear recipes! Send your family's favourite way to use up this delicious fruit, to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, by the end of this week . If we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of the April issue.
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SCAM ALERT
Own your Online website is part of the New Zealand government's work to raise understanding of cyber security issues for individuals and businesses, they have shared a message about a new scam that is targeting Kiwis.
Own Your Online say:
We are seeing a significant increase in reporting of ‘Hi Mum’ scams.
A ‘Hi Mum’ scam is a scam where a random message from an unknown number is sent to you claiming to be from a close relative, usually your son or daughter.
The fake relative often claims their phone is broken – which is why they’re contacting you from a different number – and will ask you to do something, sometimes asking you to help them with a payment or to do something by clicking a link.
If you receive one of these, don’t click the links. Try to contact your relative using their normal number which is probably still working.
You can also report these scam messages by forwarding free to Department of Internal Affairs on 7726
Check out Own Your Online scam checklist here.
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