Chocolate eclair

So sorry to hear that, extremely concerning for you. Hope you hear from Mr BEVS ASAP. Hope that your region isn't too badly hit. We have been extremely fortunate. Last night wasn't as bad as the previous one, mainly due to the change in wind direction. The rain wasn't as heavy as we were expecting.

Just got home from an appointment at North Shore Hospital and nearly got blown down the steps outside. The gusts are still strong at times. A small slip on SH1 just north of Oteha Valley exit heading south. A number of tree branches down along the Whangaparaoa Peninsula.
Wherever you are in NZ, take the warnings seriously and stay safe.

Chocolate eclair

Very pleased to hear that you've not had any further issues overnight. You were the first person I thought of when I woke up this morning.

Looks and sounds awful out West Auckland. We've had a very lucky escape and I'm so thankful for that.
Just terrible for the other areas affected so far.
Have you seen photos of the damage at Orewa? The trees will be falling into the sea soon given the level of erosion!

Bo-Jangles

Yes, much the same, feeling incredibly lucky compared to some of the scenes out there. I have seen some of the pictures of Orewa, that's been an ongoing problem there for years and the council spends fortunes replacing the sand after every storm and king tide. They really need a sea wall or some big rocks to help stop the erosion. Hopefully this time they will finally get something long term.

Chocolate eclair

Absolutely! I mean it's not rocket science!!!!

Justcol

South island doesn't need to be in a state of anything, it's perfectly fine down here.
if that means anything more than sending everyone who can help up north it's a waste of time and effort

Moon_River

My Sister in Law lives in Silverdale. Orewa is their local beach. She says it will need, 'big love' to fix it !

Justcol

Because a pretty beach is really important 🙄

Chocolate eclair

No. It just needs a reasoned, sensible approach. This supercity council seems unable to accept the obvious solution of returning the boulders that used to be there. Instead as Bo-Jangles has already stated the council insists on replacing sand after every storm and King tide. It's a futile and an expensive mistake.
Tbh, IMVHO, it's not that great a beach, I prefer Te Haruhi at Shakespear Regional Park. Though I don't rate many of the beaches around here for interest. I prefer beaches which have lots of interesting rock pools to explore.

LittleGreyCat

They are on top of a hill to the West of Riverhead Forest, West Auckland.
Kumeu has taken a real pasting, but fortunately they are away from all that.
Worst that happened last time was the bridge at the bottom of the hill was flooded so they were cut off, but they are very self sufficient so no worries.
Last we heard power was off but they have a generator.

We have friends in Orewa but they are a fair distance back from the beach, and last we heard they were fine.

Chocolate eclair

Any news from Mr BEVS? Hope he's safe. Bloody awful in the Hawkes Bay area.
How's things Mapua way?

BEVS

How about you read and understand what it actually means & does. I actually don't mind your cantankerous style but sometimes there is a time and a place. You seem to see this as some sort of power struggle. Local v national or something odd. That is NOT how this works. It is about resources , priorities , deployment . It will have been requested . You should be pleased about this for everyone .

Quote:

National state of emergency: What you need to know

BEVS

Top of the South island was in the firing line and we were all advised to get ready and be prepared , especially after last August. So I & neighbours got ready best we could and were prepared. Cyclone Gabrielle completely missed us. Not even a puff. I am not sure how or why but it did. Perhaps the Ranges offered protection or the wind direction was something to do with it.

There is no contact from MrBEVS or the team. I am seeing the odd update via Gisborne CD & a local Gisborne group . At the moment comms of any sort requires a satellite phone and power so is sporadic when able. It's bad though. I have gathered that much.

Justcol

I get it's a big thing for you and yours, but It's little more than common sense really isn't it.

Gabrielle was never ever coming anywhere near the south island. Warnings that it would be were never more than an arse covering exercise.

Chocolate eclair

Well I for one am pleased to hear that Gabrielle passed you by.
Hope the coming hours bring news from Mr BEVS.
Our friends in Wellsford have no power, no water, no internet at their place. At least they can get to the shops and are able to cook on the barbie.
We are just extremely grateful that it wasn't worse our way.

Jolly Good

Weather will always be unpredictable and what you call an arse covering exercise I would call being proactive and being prepared.

This is from 33 years of living on the gulf coast of Texas during hurricane season. A storms path can change dramatically at the very last minute and being unprepared is a risk not only to you, your family and your pets but also to those who need to try and help you.