Tropical Cyclone Tam updates
**UPDATE 4pm**
Eight Far North District roads have been impacted by the severe weather with two closed as of 4pm tonight. Those are:
- Pukepoto Road – closed due to flooding
- Waimatenui/Mataraua Road – blocked by fallen trees but due to be cleared soon.
A full list of impacted roads and their current status can be found below.
| Road name | Reason | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Bonnetts Road | Fallen Tree | OPEN |
| Diggers Valley Road | Under slip | OPEN |
| Greenacres Drive | Fallen Tree | OPEN |
| Orakau Road | Fallen Tree | OPEN |
| Pukepoto Road (Okaihau) | Flooding | CLOSED |
| Puketotara Road | Fallen Tree | OPEN |
| Settlement Road | Fallen Tree | OPEN |
| Waimate North Road | Fallen Tree | OPEN |
| Waimatenui Road | Fallen Tree | CLOSED |
High tide inundation
There is a possibility that low-lying coastal roads and state highways will be inundated tonight when predicted 5-6m east coast swells combine with severe gale winds and a 10pm hightide. To help keep key transport links open, NZTA has allocated additional crews to monitor the Far North state highway network, particularly known trouble spots like Paihia and other flood-prone areas. If State Highway 11 at Paihia (also known as Marsden Road) becomes impassable, NZTA and the council will create a detour route around the affected area. Businesses in the area are also advised to prepare.
**UPDATE 12.30pm**
As of midday, all district roads in the Far North are open. However, two were disrupted by fallen trees. These have now been cleared. See detail below.
| Road name | Reason | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Settlement Road in Kawakawa | Fallen tree | OPEN |
| Waimate North Road | Fallen tree | OPEN |
A warning to boat owners. Please be aware of a Storm Warning issued by MetService for the east coast of the Far North. It predicts 5-6m swells and possible 8m+ swells on Thursday. These will be driven by up to 50 knot easterlies this evening (Weds), dropping to 35 knots south of Whangaroa on Thursday morning and easing to northerly 20 knots everywhere that evening.
As of Wednesday 16 April, at 9am
According to MetService Tropical Cyclone Tam is forecast to be reclassified to a subtropical depression early on Thursday. This weather system is already causing significant rain and wind across the Far North.
So far, there have been no confirmed reports of weather-related problems on our roads. However, the Pou Herenga Tai – Twin Coast Cycle Trail has confirmed it has shut the trail for today (Wednesday 16 April) due to weather.
There are also unconfirmed reports of:
- A road slip on Kohumaru Road
- A tree blocking Settlement Road in Kawakawa
- Tree fallen at 5 Old Hospital Road, Whangaroa
- Tree fallen on Waimate North Road.
Our roading contractors have multiple crews out inspecting the network with a focus on known problem areas and will be investigating these and other reports as they come in. We will provide updates here as issues are confirmed.
Please contact the council immediately on 0800 920 029 to report problems with our road network such as flooding, slips, fallen trees or any other issues. Please tell us what the issues is and where it is.
For the State Highway network, please check the NZTA Trip Advisor webpage.
Please refer to the Top Energy power outages page if you have power problems.
Remember, if you need to travel, stay visible with your headlights on and please drive to the conditions.