Message from Jo Miller, Chief Executive, HCC
Kia ora Community Board members, you will be aware that a Red Weather Warning has been issued for the Wellington Region for tomorrow (Thursday), with severe north-westerly gales and damaging gusts expected between 8:00am and 6:00pm. Red Warnings are issued when there is a high likelihood of significant disruption to power, transport, and communication networks. The forecast impacts include flying debris, fallen trees, damage to buildings, and dangerous driving conditions.
Our Emergency Management Team is monitoring the situation closely, and there will be a partial activation of our Emergency Operations Centre tomorrow.
Communications have been shared with staff and the public through our channels.
We have received advice from NZTA urging drivers to take extreme care on the roads tomorrow. As such, it’s important that people avoid unnecessary travel, stay at home if they can and stay off the roads.
Our facilities are remaining open unless it becomes unsafe. Scheduled programming is cancelled. We have also cancelled the induction programme for tomorrow, and the sessions will be rescheduled for another day.
Due to the very high winds that are forecast we are taking steps to minimise disruption and delays on the Wainuiomata Hill Road. This includes reducing the vehicle speed from 80kmph to 50kmph from later this evening. We will be advising motorcyclists and high-sided vehicles to refrain from travelling over Wainuiomata Hill tomorrow.
We have been advised that the mega strike is still going ahead tomorrow; however, the march in Wellington has been cancelled due to the weather. We understand the marches have been cancelled in other areas across the country, too.
We will be keeping our Facebook page and website updated with the latest information on the event and how it is impacting the community.
If you are speaking with your community, please feel free to share the following with them:
Visit Metlink and Wellington Airport to see public transport services and flights that are impacted.
Get information and tips at Wellington Region Emergency Management Office (WREMO).
Check NZTA Waka Kotahi for State Highway updates around the region.
Visit Wellington Electricity for information about power outages.
Problems such as debris, flooding or downed trees by logging through our Report a problem page on Council’s website.
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