Residents in Wellington’s south coast and coastal areas of Wairarapa are being urged to "take the necessary precautions" ahead of large swells expected to hit the region today.
Yesterday, Wellington City Mayor Andrew Little declared a State of Emergency for Wellington’s Southern and Eastern wards to support the response to the forecasted heavy swell warning for Wellington’s south coast.
In an update shortly after 8.30am, MetService said big waves had already been observed.
"We've already seen significant wave heights of 6 metres overnight, and maximum wave heights just about cracking 10 metres... but the biggest waves are yet to come!
At Steep Head in Canterbury there had been a maximum wave height of 9.9m, and 8.5m at Wellington's Baring Head.
“Waves are forecast to rise rapidly during Tuesday morning and early afternoon along the east coasts of the North and South Islands, and at the Chatham Islands - while the southwesterly swell and wind direction means the largest waves will be offshore, places exposed to the southwest will see the most hazardous coastal conditions.
“Keep an eye out as the period creeps up - waves with a high period carry more energy, and so can be more destructive than waves of the same height with a smaller period," the forecaster said online.
It said significant wave height is defined as the average height of the highest 1/3 of waves, and is approximately the height that a trained observer will report when eyeballing waves.
Wellington Civil Defence said waves of around 9–10 metres were forecast for Wairarapa, and between 7.5-8m waves for Wellington's south coast.
Road closures
Wellington City Council said from 9am, no vehicles would be allowed into areas including in the evacuation order.
"This includes emergency services vehicles. This is to prepare for the first dangerous swell window between 10am and 1pm, which will coincide with high tide," it said online.
"Significant disruption is expected. Some routes will not be accessible. Detours and shortened routes are in place.
"Road closures are in place between Tirangi Road in Lyall Bay and the Pass of Branda in Seatoun and between Sutherland Road in Lyall Bay and Red Rocks."
New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi said the Ngauranga to Petone shared path has been closed this morning due to high seas, strong swells, and waves splashing over the sea wall in Wellington Harbour.
"The route will remain closed to the public until sea conditions improve and it is safe to reopen," an NZTA spokesperson said.
People were urged to respect the closure and not use the route at this time.
'Take necessary precautions' - Wellington Civil Defence
A mandatory evacuation order is in place for waterfront properties in Ōwhiro Bay, Island Bay, Houghton Bay and Breaker Bay. (Source: Breakfast)
Speaking to Breakfast, Civil Defence Emergency Management Group Controller Sam Bishop said this was "a hell of a lot higher than the 5.5m, 6m waves that we saw a few years back for the south coast".
"There's five areas that we've asked to really take consideration about evacuating. That's Ōwhiro Bay, Island Bay, Houghton Bay, Breaker Bay, and Moa Point, primarily where the most serious impacts are going to occur," he said.
Lyall Bay was not included in the order.
Bishop said there were no overnight evacuations carried out, but Wellington City Council opened an emergency assistance centre and conducted around 200 door-knocks to alert residents about the incoming weather.
He said updates would be shared through council social media channels.
"Most people would have received an emergency mobile alert last night, and for the 12 hours concurrently," Bishop said.
He said swells and winds were closely linked, with both hazards driving the dangerous sea conditions.
"So, what we've been told by MetService is that it's going to kick off around about 10am, or 11am today, which is going to be the serious part, and last for around four or five hours.
"But they have told us to expect swell surges for the next 24 hours through until Wednesday at 9am. So it's going to be a fairly enduring event," he said.
"Stay away from the coast, avoid wave watching and respect all road closures that might be around. This is about the safety of our communities, and making sure that we take the necessary precautions for these sorts of events."
About 350 houses 'at risk' - Wellington Mayor
Wellington Mayor Andrew Little told Breakfast around 350 houses were currently “at risk or potentially at risk” of inundation due to the swell.
Shortly before 9am, the mayor said seawater was now “washing up over roads”.
“The roads are in the process of being closed on that southern coastline and the sea state is building as predicted.”
Asked if the city was prepared enough, Little said warnings were issued yesterday to keep people safe.
“We’ve been through this before with elevated sea states, with king tides and we’ve seen what damage it can do.
“The last big surge we had was in 2020, it got up to about 5.5m. Today’s swell is predicted to be between 8m and 9m, so this will be a big deal.”
He urged people to follow the advice of Civil Defence, and “let nature take its course and see what happens”.
Current watches and warnings in place
Strong Wind Watch
Gisborne/Tairāwhiti and Hawke's Bay coasts (Tolaga Bay to Māhia Peninsula) – seven hours from 12pm to 7pm today.
Wairarapa coast and Tararua District – seven hours from 7am to 2pm today.
Marlborough south of Ward, inland to the Awatere Valley – eight hours from 6am to 2pm today.
Chatham Islands – six hours from 2pm to 8pm today.
Heavy Swell Warning - orange
Wairarapa coast (Turakirae Head to Mataikona) – 33 hours from 12am Monday to 9am Wednesday.
Wellington coast (Cape Terawhiti to Turakirae Head) – 30 hours from 3am today to 9am Wednesday.
The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including warnings about powerful waves, and a former Warrior comes out. (Source: Breakfast)
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