Cyclone incoming: North Island bracing for impact yet again

MetService is monitoring a category three tropical cyclone that’s hurtling towards New Zealand.

Cyclone Vaianu is working its way over from the west of Fiji, where it has sparked multiple weather warnings, including for flash flooding. Wind gusts have reached upwards of 150km/h as well.

The brunt of the weather will be contained to the North Island, especially on the east coast, but the full impact will be heavily dependent on the path that Vaianu takes, as it comes down from the tropics.

MetService Meteorologist John Law says, “The exact path and intensity of the storm as it heads towards us in New Zealand is yet to be determined; however, it does look like we will be seeing some impacts from this system during the weekend.”

As of Wednesday April 8th, the entire North Island had a wind watch in place for Sunday.

The Far North district is gearing up for another deluge from the cyclone.

The council has set up ‘Manaaki Recovery Hubs’, aimed to provide multi-agency support through a community and marae-based approach.

The locations are as follows:

• Whirinaki (venue tbc) - Thursday 9 April, 9am to 12pm

• Waimamaku, Memorial Hall - Thursday 9 April, 1pm to 4pm

• Panguru, Waipuna Marae - Friday 10 April, 9am to 12pm

• Pawarenga, Morehu Marae - Friday 10 April, 1pm to 4pm

• Kaitāia, Te Ahu - Saturday 11 April, 9am to 12pm

• Awanui, Waimanoni Marae - Saturday 11 April, 1pm to 4pm.

Auckland Emergency Management is also warning residents of the potential for gales, heavy rain and hazardous coastal conditions. “This could cause damage to trees, powerlines, and unsecured structures. Driving may be difficult, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles,” it said in a Facebook post. The South Island isn’t expected to be hit as hard, but local emergency management groups have still issued warnings over social media.

There are Severe Weather Warnings and watches currently in place for a separate weather system moving across the country today.

MetService says these warnings will be replaced with fresh ones in the coming days.