Planning for severe weather

Planning is underway for a coordinated response to severe weather expected across much of the country later this week.

The National Coordination Centre (NCC) and two Regional Coordination Centres (RCC) have already activated in monitoring mode this afternoon, after NIWA modelling and MetService weather forecasts both predicted heavy rain was likely to affect several regions from Thursday.

Deputy National Commander Brendan Nally says Fire and Emergency is being proactive in making early preparations. Decisions on deployments will be made on Wednesday, based on updated forecasts from MetService. “We are doing this because we have to be prepared for multiple scenarios so we can support our communities, some of which have already been affected by previous events this year, mostly notably Cyclone Gabrielle.”

Our NCC team is in close contact with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and local Civil Defence Groups about which parts of the country may need additional support if the predicted heavy rainfall eventuates.

Te Hiku and Te Ihu have already activated their RCCs in monitoring mode, based on the current forecasts which predict significant rain in Northland, the West Coast and parts of Nelson-Tasman. Operational leaders in the other regions are also alert and preparing to respond or assist.