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Ex-tropical Cyclone Cook is continuing to head towards New Zealand. Photo: Mark Daniel.
Waikato region residents are being urged to exercise caution on the roads, be aware of the potential for flooding hazards and move stock to higher ground where necessary.
Ex-tropical Cyclone Cook is continuing to head towards New Zealand. It is currently tracking further west than what was projected yesterday.
This means that it may affect the Waikato region more than predicted yesterday, says Waikato Regional Council hazards team leader Rick Liefting.
“We urge people to stay up to date with weather warnings and take precautions to protect themselves, their families, pets and property if the situation deteriorates markedly.”
The following heavy rain and severe wind warnings are in place across the region:
- Coromandel Peninsula: 150 to 250 millimetres of rain is possible in 39 hours from 9am Wednesday to midnight Thursday; and wind of up to 150km/hour or more possible from Thursday afternoon with large waves of 5 metres or more on the eastern Coromandel coast.
- Taupo: 150 to 250 mm in 39 hours from 9am Wednesday to midnight Thursday; and wind of up to 150km/hour or more possible from Thursday afternoon until early Friday.
- Waikato and Waitomo: 100 to 150 mm in 33 hours from midday today to 9pm Thursday; and wind of up to 140km/hour or more possible from Thursday afternoon until midnight Friday.
On the Coromandel Peninsula there is potential for further slips and flooding to occur and debris flows during periods of high intensity rainfall. These could lead to road closures. See the NZ Transport Agency website for updates.
Extreme care should be taken around at high tide times on the eastern Coromandel coast (approximately 0836 and 2100 Thursday and 0916 and 2141 Friday). Care should also be taken on the Firth of Thames coast.
Meanwhile, Lake Taupo’s level and the Waikato River system are being closely monitored by the regional hazards team and Mercury.
Property owners at Taupo should be aware the lake is expected to rise approximately another half a metre from current levels over this week based on the latest forecasts.
The hazards team and the council’s flood response team are monitoring the situation closely and will provide updates as required.
Rural Support Waikato is inviting farmers, growers, and rural communities to take a well-earned break and join us for 'Brunch on Us' - a series of all-sector, relaxed drop-in events across the region.
Waikato is home to a diverse range of lakes, and experts say they urgently need better management and restoration.
With adverse weather set to rain down on the Top of the South, the Bay of Plenty and parts of Northland, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says farmers, foresters, and growers need to prepare for possible challenges.
Waikato Federated Farmers dairy chair Matthew Zonderop says two consecutive years of a $10 milk price is fantastic for New Zealand agriculture.
Last season was a mixed bag for Waikato contractors, with early planted forage maize, planted on the dry soils around Cambridge, doing badly after germination and failing to meet potential, says Jeremy Rothery, Jackson Contracting.
Acclaimed fruit grower Dean Astill never imagined he would have achieved so much in the years since being named the first Young Horticulturist of the Year, 20 years ago.
The Ashburton-based Carrfields Group continues to show commitment to future growth and in the agricultural sector with its latest investment, the recently acquired 'Spring Farm' adjacent to State Highway 1, Winslow, just south of Ashburton.
New Zealand First leader and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has blasted Fonterra farmers shareholders for approving the sale of iconic brands to a French company.
A major feature of the Ashburton A&P Show, to be held on October 31 and November 1, will be the annual trans-Tasman Sheep Dog Trial test match, with the best heading dogs from both sides of the Tasman going head-to-head in two teams of four.
Fewer bobby calves are heading to the works this season, as more dairy farmers recognise the value of rearing calves for beef.
The key to a dairy system that generates high profit with a low emissions intensity is using low footprint feed, says Fonterra program manager on-farm excellence, Louise Cook.
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