National State of Emergency
Regional updates for February 15th, see the live Stuff updates.
14th February - 10:45am Update: National State of Emergency
Minister for Emergency Management, Kieran McAnulty, has confirmed a National State of Emergency this morning due to the widespread damage across the country due to Cyclone Gabrielle.
While many regions have already declared a local state of emergency, a National State of Emergency gives the National Controller legal authority to apply resources across the country in support of a national level response.
Here's what you need to know:
- Heavy rain red warnings are in place for Northland and Hawke's Bay, with red strong wind warnings also for Northland, Coromandel and Taranaki. Check all weather warnings on the MetService website.
- States of emergency have been declared in Northland, Auckland, Tairāwhiti, Ōpōtiki, Thames-Coromandel District, Waikato District, Hauraki District, Whakatāne District, Bay of Plenty, Napier and Hastings.
- There has been a landslide in Murawai with one firefighter missing.
- Gisborne is feared cut off and the east coast of the Coromandel Peninsula. Residents are to take note of the Welfare Centres for Gisborne and Coromandel.
- A number of road closures are in place across the North Island. View these on the Waka Kotahi NZTA website.
- Fire and Emergency is urging people to only call 111 if life or safety is at risk after a surge in calls.
- In Auckland there are 27 shelters and civil defence centres where people can go in an emergency.
Stuff are posting live updates and have shared what you need in your 3-day emergency kit. Stay up to date with Civil Defence updates and track the storm here.
2pm Update for Hawke's Bay:
Multiple evacuations needed in Puketapu, Esk Valley, Rissington, Omahu, Waiohiki, Jervoistown and Meeanee and Waipawa.
Many remain trapped in cars and houses. Several bridges have been taken out with access between Hastings and Napier now cutoff. More than 20,000 people are without power and cellphone communication in and out of the region is patchy.
Omahu residents needing shelter can go to Hastings Sports' Centre. Taradale residents can head to St Joseph's Māori Girls' School.
Same Again Dan
Who else besides me has gotten annoyed well before now with TVOne weather presenter, Daniel Corbett constant use of the term: SAME THING AGAIN.
Dan uses this term at least two-three times on any evening he is doing the weather presentation. A year ago and it wasn't in his vocabulary.
Ok, NZ is not a huge country and therefore the weather region by region, city by city can be pretty similar. But to use the same terminology when there is either no need to or many alternatives, rankles me anyway.
His weather colleagues have never used this Corbett habitual three worded expression.
Another thing Dan does with so much more repetitiveness of late is the frimmp, woosh, voomb sounds of noise he makes to describe rain, wind, impending climatic conditions or whatever.
Come on Dan. You weren't doing or saying these things in the UK.
Poll: Is it okay to grocery shop in your PJs?
I'm sure you've seen it while doing your weekly shop... In fact, it may have even been you.
What do you think about people heading to the supermarket in their pyjamas?
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14.5% It's fine!
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75% It's questionable
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10.6% Other - I'll share below
UPPER HUTT SETBACKS
Upper Hutt has been on an upward spiral over the last several years not seen to the same extent in Wellington, Lower Hutt, Porirua, Kapiti, Horowhenu and Wairarapa.
But further progress and stretching out the bump in population has come to a stop - albeit temporary.
The bold planning of multi storied apartments on a part of the Trentham Racecourse site accommodating a few thousand people and ensuring the conrinuation of top level racing has been placed on hold. This comes after a glitch of the Silverstream Spur housing development which could draw in several thousand residents. The SS is also likely to evenrually go ahead but not right now.
The one thing publicly announced in the last day is the increase of prison accommodation due to start in the ever growing mini city that is Rimutaka Prison.
This Upper Hutt facility is the largest prison in NZ and harbours thousands of prisoners and over a thousand staff.
Not the kind of progress Upper Hutt really wants though there are good benefits from employment opportunities, ancillary services needed for the prison and demand for local rental properties.
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