Hawke’s Bay Civil Defence advises region to stay out of the water

Due to the approach of Cyclone Cody and the large volcanic eruption at Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'pai in Tonga, Hawke’s Bay Civil Defence Emergency Management Group (HBCDEM) is advising everyone in Hawke’s Bay to stay off the beaches and shore areas and away from harbours, rivers and estuaries until Wednesday.
 
Group Controller Ian Macdonald said the combined impact of these two events means there is a real safety risk to people close to or in the water.

“We are advising people to move out of the water, refrain from boating and stay off beaches and shore areas until Wednesday,” Ian Macdonald said.

“Cyclone Cody is tracking further to the east then initially forecast and the risk of strong winds and significant rain for Hawke’s Bay has reduced, however it is likely that the region’s coastline will experience significant waves and hazardous sea conditions from this storm from today through Tuesday,” Ian Macdonald said.
 
Ian Macdonald said a National Advisory from the National Emergency Management Agency is also currently in place advising of tsunami activity which is expected to result in strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges at the Hawke’s Bay shore.  
 
There is no need to evacuate any residential areas. 
 
“The large volcanic eruption in Tonga has resulted in some minor tsunami activity along the Hawke’s Bay coast with strong and unusual currents of up to half a metre in Napier and unpredictable surges observed on tsunami gauges. This threat must be regarded as real until the Advisory is cancelled,” Ian Macdonald said.
 
Ian Macdonald said the Hawke's Bay Harbourmaster has recommended boat owners check moorings in the Inner Harbour, being careful to stay out of the water.
 
“Remember, ongoing surges may be larger than others and it is not unusual for tsunami surges to continue for 12 hours. Dangerous currents can also persist in harbours for 60 hours or more,” Ian Macdonald said.
 
“Otherwise people are advised to stay out of the water, off beaches and shore areas and away from harbours, rivers and estuaries.
 
“We are urging everyone in Hawke’s Bay to keep up-to-date with conditions over the next couple of days,” Ian Macdonald said.
 
People are advised to check for updates on the HBCDEM Facebook page and website, and the NEMA website.
 
People can stay up-to-date with forecasts at MetService.

16 January 2022

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