Auckland storm: why were we so unprepared?

Wednesday, 11 April 2018

Auckland Emergency Management said it sent out the 'appropriate messaging' about what Aucklanders should expect from the storm.

Aucklanders woke to 115,000 homes without power, trees down, roads closed and warnings not to drive unless necessary.

Many were unprepared and left asking why they didn't know to expect such extensive damage, including a local politician who said the Metservice 'undercooked the storm'.

Hurricane force gusts and heavy rain lashed the city on Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning, bringing 110-150kmh winds to the central city.

But MetService meteorologist Tom Adams said the warnings were there – and they were out days prior to the event.

A tree has fallen onto a home on New North Rd, Auckland.

* Roofs off, trees, powerlines down as Auckland takes hit from southerly storm**

A severe weather outlook warning of strong winds was put out on Friday, followed by a full severe weather warning issued on Monday morning, Adams said.

Scafolding collapsed at a building site in Hobsonville Point.

There were severe thunderstorm warnings and watches in place across Auckland and the North Island on Tuesday, as well as strong wind watches.

'Short of going door-to-door, there's nothing more we could have done.

'The information was definitely out there. The fact it caught people unawares, that's probably because people have just been confused about where to find the warnings, or they're not reading them.'

Adams said metservice.com was the best place to check for weather warnings.

A tree was ripped out of the tarmac in Ponsonby Rd.

A period of calm weather on Tuesday afternoon may have also given Aucklanders a false sense of security.

A low pressure system crossed the country bringing thunderstorms and squalls to Auckland in the early afternoon.

A police car blocks a downed powerline on Buscomb Ave, Henderson.

Then things eased off and the sun came out briefly, but the low's centre was yet to cross Auckland, bringing powerful winds, Adams said.

On Tuesday, Stuff reported the worst of the winds would hit between 7pm-12am.

Rodney local board member Cameron Brewer said residents were badly let down by weather forecasters.

'The Metservice really undercooked this storm. I've reviewed two nights of television weather forecasts and while a low was forecast, the extreme storm event that took place was not.

'Talk about 'the boy who cried wolf' given all the days we were told to prepare for Cyclone Gita that never really eventuated.'

A number of things could have been saved with more warning about the storm, he said.

'I'm talking about the many trampolines that went flying, the commercial signs that were down, and the likes of outside furniture that was thrown around people's sections.'

Auckland Civil Defence and Emergency Management, NZTA, Auckland Council and Auckland Transport all issued warnings, advising people to tie down trampolines and outdoor furniture and to move pets indoors.

Auckland Emergency Management director John Dragicevich said he believed the organisation sent out the 'appropriate messaging' about what Aucklanders should expect from the storm.

When asked about the council's response during a press conference on Wednesday afternoon, Dragicevich said it notified stakeholders and the public via social media as soon as it got news from MetService.

'We rely on MetService, who are our professional advisers and weather forecasters. We are not experts.'

Dragicevich said there was generally some uncertainty around weather events, but said MetService couldn't have been clearer about what was to come.

'MetService made a prediction – a mix of art and science – and what followed closely resembled that.'

He said there would be some 'learnings' from the way the storm was handled, but 'I believe our partners have done a fantastic job'.