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Originally Posted by Welshgirl
Jeez, we must be lucky in Hamilton then
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You know what they say, 'God looks after his own'.
And there's more.
After the storm, another one
By MARK STEVENS - Stuff.co.nz | Monday, 28 July 2008
The MetService has issued another severe storm warning today, as the mop-up continues from the weekend's wild weather.
It will leave little time for emergency service workers to regroup, with the next system - a depression approaching from the north Tasman Sea - bearing down and expected to bring heavy rain and severe gales to most of the country from tomorrow.
The MetService said the next storm would affect many parts of the North Island already suffering from the impact of the weekend weather bomb.
"A burst of heavy rain is expected in most areas in the north of the North Island, however, sustained heavy rain should affect Northland, the Coromandel Peninsula, western Bay of Plenty and Gisborne from Tuesday afternoon or evening and continue into Wednesday," the MetService warning said.
"Gale force northeast winds are likely in exposed places but at this stage the winds are not expected to be as strong as during Saturday's events.
"However, trees and buildings badly affected during the weekends storms may experience further damage."
The MetService warned people to watch out for rapidly rising streams and rivers, and hazardous driving conditions. People should keep up to date with the latest warnings.
The MetService is expected to issue an updated severe weather warning at or before 9pm tonight.
The northern end of the country was hardest hit by the deep depression over the weekend, which forecasters described as the worst in 10 years.
The storm led to three deaths, power supply being cut off to thousands of homes and road closures. Two of those killed were crew from the fishing boat San Cuvier.
Environmental officers are today keeping a close eye on any potential fuel spill from the boat, which was dashed on rocks near Opotiki.
The vessel is wedged on the rugged Bay of Plenty coastline and its location and the conditions mean it has been impossible to get salvage equipment in.
Regional harbourmaster Carl Magazinovic has flown over the site to check if fuel is leaking. So far, there appeared to be no contamination of the sea.
Environment Bay of Plenty has an oil spill response team ready to act if any diesel leakage was detected.
"This morning we are continuing to keep a close eye on the grounded ship and will work with other organisations, including Maritime New Zealand,'' Mr Magazinovic said.
"Any diesel that may leak from the ship would quickly evaporate and disperse by natural means in these conditions,'' he said.
In addition to the two members of the San Cuvier crew who died, searchers recovered the body of canoeist James Moore from Matakana Island in Tauranga Harbour.
Mr Moore set off in severe conditions from Maketu, 40km southeast of Tauranga, in an outrigger canoe.
One of his companions had turned back and the other two made it safely to Mt Maunganui, police said.
It was possible a 38-year-old man who died in a house fire in the Waikato township of Meremere about 3am yesterday will be counted as another storm victim.
It was believed the fire started from a candle he was using in the bedroom during a power outage caused by high winds.
His 12-year-old daughter was pulled out of the house by firefighters and was taken to Middlemore Hospital in South Auckland suffering from smoke inhalation.
The girl's mother and two other children, both under three, escaped unhurt.
- With NZPA
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