Kaikōura likely to be 'isolated' by ex-Cyclone Gita

Tuesday, 20 February 2018

Waves batter the Kaikōura coast. The council is advising campers to move to higher ground due to the risk of coastal inundation.

Kaikōura could be cut-off due to heavy rain and gale-force winds from ex-Cyclone Gita.

The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) closed State Highway 1 north and south of the town at 8.30am due to the risk of slips and coastal inundation.

Kaikōura locals are stocking up on water and other essentials. The town is facing the prospect of being cut-off as a result of ex-Cyclone Gita.

Route 70, the inland road via Waiau, is now the only way into or out of Kaikōura. Motorists are asked to avoid the road if possible, and it is likely to close before the end of the day.

Shoppers at the local New World have been stocking up on water and other essentials. Staff were almost continuously topping up supplies, Stuff's reporter in the town, Pippa Brown, said.

* Former cyclone Gita getting faster, despite being downgraded

* Slips, flooding and flight delays likely for areas worst-hit by Cyclone Gita**

Kaikōura has already been hit hard by ex-Cyclone Gita, and there is much more to come.

In the nine hours to 9am, a weather station in the town recorded 39mm of rain - the most of any monitored by NIWA.

Our in-house @niwa_nz high resolution model (1.5 km) NZCSM & its forecast rain total through to 7 am Wed. Many areas over upper South Island & far lower North Island to receive 100+ mm with localised 200 mm+ . Flooding & slips a real concern. ~Chris pic.twitter.com/QLaeO929MQ

— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) February 19, 2018

NIWA principal scientist forecasting Chris Brandolino said the town was among localised areas that could see as much as 200mm of rain through to the end of Wednesday.

'There's a real flooding and slips risk because of the heavy nature of the rain,' he said.

Kaikoura has already recorded 39 mm of rain today (through 9:00 am), leading the way in terms of rainfall from #CycloneGita 💦 pic.twitter.com/nPjZpHKNFw

— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) February 19, 2018

MetService has also warned of coastal inundation being a risk in the area.

A severe weather warning has been issued for Marlborough and the Kaikōura coast, with up to 200mm forecast to accumulate about higher ground from 9am to 10pm Tuesday.

A strong wind warning was also in place, with severe gale southeasterlies gusting 120kmh or more in exposed places through to 3am, Wednesday.

The Kaikōura District Council, along with the alliance charged with rebuilding SH1, have been telling campers to move from coastal spots to higher ground.

Campers outside the SH1 closure have been advised to travel north to Blenheim or south to Cheviot. Those on the town-side of the closure should move to higher ground within the town.

'No welfare centre has yet been established but plans are in place to ensure one can be quickly set up if needed,' the council said in a statement.

Urban Search and Rescue teams have arrived in the town to support the Kaikōura Volunteer Fire Brigade.

Chief fire officer Ian Walker described it as a precautionary measure ahead of the inland road potentially closing.

'If we get isolated then we're stuck again.'

Streets around the Commercial Hotel site were being closed due to the risk of flying debris. They included: Ramsgate St, Torquay St and Toms Track.