Latest news with #WildWeatherTracker
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
Weather forecast: New Zealand enjoys a brief calm before weekend storms
New Zealand enjoys a brief respite with fine weather. Wellington reached 15°C, while Auckland saw partly cloudy skies. However, stronger winds and rain are approaching this weekend. A previous red-level wind warning caused disruption. Northwest flow arrives Saturday, bringing potential gale-force gusts and heavy rain. Authorities advise securing loose items and staying informed. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Popular in International 1. Ash from Whakaari disrupts flights as volcanic unrest continues New Zealanders are savouring a rare calm spell today(May 14) as fine skies and mild temperatures sweep the country before a weather system brings stronger winds and rain this Wellington , the day's high reached 15 °C after a cool start at 11 °C, with southerly breezes shifting northerly by evening. Aucklanders enjoyed partly cloudy skies and temperatures between 11 °C and 20 °C under light winds, while Christchurch and Dunedin basked in clear and gentle breezes, with the thermometer peaking at 13 °CResearch from the latest IAG 'Wild Weather Tracker' reveals that over half of New Zealanders report anxiety about storms and heavy rainfall, and 43 percent specifically fear Auckland 's low-lying Ōtara suburb, Meena Patel recounts last month's flash flood that forced her family to flee their home: 'We never imagined water would surge past our windows so quickly,' she says, still shaken by the week's wild weather caused widespread disruption. A red-level wind warning, Wellington's first ever, was issued after gusts peaked at 160 km/h, toppling trees and delaying settled conditions will give way to increasing cloud overnight, and fresh northwesterlies tomorrow Thursday(May 15) should remain mainly fine, Friday(May 16) brings a 50 percent chance of afternoon showers as northwest winds strengthenNorthwest flow is forecast to arrive Saturday(May 17), with potential gale‑force gusts and heavy rain, particularly across central and southern urge households to secure loose items, review emergency plans, and stay informed via MetService warnings.
NZ Herald
30-04-2025
- Climate
- NZ Herald
Just half of Gisborne Tairāwhiti residents confident they are prepared for natural disasters
'On a national level, over half of New Zealanders have begun to feel prepared since 2023.' Whiting said the research showed more than half of New Zealanders had recently experienced anxiety and concern about storm and heavy rain. 'There were 43% concerned specifically about flooding. 'It is troubling that New Zealanders feel worried about going to bed when it's raining, or worry about their homes when storms, high winds and weather watches are issued,' Whiting said. The Wild Weather Tracker shows that New Zealanders had to endure 14 natural hazard events throughout spring and summer, six of which were significant storms causing millions of dollars in damage. 'We supported our customers with a total of 3536 claims resulting from these events.' There were 37 Tairāwhiti claims in those six months. 'We urgently need the Government to take steps that will better manage our natural hazard risks and reduce their impact on vulnerable communities,' Whiting said. 'Through smarter decisions about where we build, better protecting what we have built or moving people out of harm's way, we can help New Zealanders to feel confident that they will be okay when the next storm hits.'
Scoop
30-04-2025
- Climate
- Scoop
More Than Half Of New Zealanders Anxious About Storms
Press Release – IAG New Zealand Amanda Whiting, CEO of AMI, State and NZI says the research shows that in the past two years natural hazards have impacted the lives of 54% of New Zealanders, with 41% feeling adversely affected. New research commissioned by AMI, State and NZI shows that over half of all New Zealanders have recently experienced anxiety and concern about storms and heavy rainfall, while 43% are concerned specifically about flooding [1]. The findings, published today in the seventh issue of the AMI, State and NZI Wild Weather Tracker, also show that half of the respondents are concerned about earthquakes. Amanda Whiting, CEO of AMI, State and NZI says the research shows that in the past two years natural hazards have impacted the lives of 54% of New Zealanders, with 41% feeling adversely affected. 'It is troubling that New Zealanders feel worried about going to bed when it's raining, or worry about their homes when storms, high winds and weather watches are issued.' The Wild Weather Tracker shows that New Zealanders had to endure 14 natural hazard events throughout spring and summer, six of which were significant storms causing millions of dollars in damage. 'We supported our customers with a total of 3,536 claims resulting from these events. This includes 908 claims from the Dunedin flood last October and 373 claims from a storm that occurred during Northland Anniversary weekend, almost 200 of which were from the devastating Mangawhai tornado.' Recent weather events, such as elongated periods of rain due to an atmospheric river and two tornadoes in Levin and Waikawa Beach, are stark reminders that these storms are not easing. To date, AMI, State and NZI have received more than 2,000 home, contents, commercial and motor claims due to damage caused by ex-Tropical Cyclone Tam. 'As we respond to these events, our customers often tell us about the psychological and emotional impact of wild weather, and the effect of being displaced or losing their home on their wellbeing. These impacts can last far longer than physical damage, and raise concerns about the ongoing wellbeing of affected communities.' Research from the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand reveals that the most important thing helping people get through extreme weather events is their community [2]. 'While community solidarity and our immediate insurance response aids recovery, we need to be doing more to prevent communities from experiencing these devastating impacts in the first place. 'We will continue to play our part as a sustainable, reliable insurer ready to support our customers when they need us, but strong insurance support alone will not be enough. 'We urgently need the government to take steps that will better manage our natural hazard risks and reduce their impact on vulnerable communities.' 'Through smarter decisions about where we build, better protecting what we have built or moving people out of harm's way, we can help New Zealanders to feel confident that they will be okay when the next storm hits. 'No one should be left to feel anxious about making it through a storm. 52% of New Zealanders feeling this way is simply too many.' Please note: ex-Tropical Cyclone Tam occurred outside of the reporting period of this Wild Weather Tracker, which spans from 1 September 2024 to 28 February 2025. The data from this event will be included in the next issue of the Wild Weather Tracker. About IAG: IAG New Zealand is the largest general insurer in the country, trading under the AMI, State, NZI, NAC, Lumley and Lantern brands, as well as providing the general insurance products sold by ASB, BNZ, Westpac and The Co-operative Bank. IAG New Zealand employs over 4,000 people, holds relationships with one in every two New Zealand households, and insures over NZ$1.07 trillion of commercial and domestic assets.
Scoop
30-04-2025
- Climate
- Scoop
More Than Half Of New Zealanders Anxious About Storms
New research commissioned by AMI, State and NZI shows that over half of all New Zealanders have recently experienced anxiety and concern about storms and heavy rainfall, while 43% are concerned specifically about flooding[1]. The findings, published today in the seventh issue of the AMI, State and NZI Wild Weather Tracker, also show that half of the respondents are concerned about earthquakes. Amanda Whiting, CEO of AMI, State and NZI says the research shows that in the past two years natural hazards have impacted the lives of 54% of New Zealanders, with 41% feeling adversely affected. 'It is troubling that New Zealanders feel worried about going to bed when it's raining, or worry about their homes when storms, high winds and weather watches are issued.' The Wild Weather Tracker shows that New Zealanders had to endure 14 natural hazard events throughout spring and summer, six of which were significant storms causing millions of dollars in damage. 'We supported our customers with a total of 3,536 claims resulting from these events. This includes 908 claims from the Dunedin flood last October and 373 claims from a storm that occurred during Northland Anniversary weekend, almost 200 of which were from the devastating Mangawhai tornado.' Recent weather events, such as elongated periods of rain due to an atmospheric river and two tornadoes in Levin and Waikawa Beach, are stark reminders that these storms are not easing. To date, AMI, State and NZI have received more than 2,000 home, contents, commercial and motor claims due to damage caused by ex-Tropical Cyclone Tam. 'As we respond to these events, our customers often tell us about the psychological and emotional impact of wild weather, and the effect of being displaced or losing their home on their wellbeing. These impacts can last far longer than physical damage, and raise concerns about the ongoing wellbeing of affected communities.' Research from the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand reveals that the most important thing helping people get through extreme weather events is their community[2]. 'While community solidarity and our immediate insurance response aids recovery, we need to be doing more to prevent communities from experiencing these devastating impacts in the first place. 'We will continue to play our part as a sustainable, reliable insurer ready to support our customers when they need us, but strong insurance support alone will not be enough. 'We urgently need the government to take steps that will better manage our natural hazard risks and reduce their impact on vulnerable communities.' 'Through smarter decisions about where we build, better protecting what we have built or moving people out of harm's way, we can help New Zealanders to feel confident that they will be okay when the next storm hits. 'No one should be left to feel anxious about making it through a storm. 52% of New Zealanders feeling this way is simply too many.' Please note: ex-Tropical Cyclone Tam occurred outside of the reporting period of this Wild Weather Tracker, which spans from 1 September 2024 to 28 February 2025. The data from this event will be included in the next issue of the Wild Weather Tracker. IAG New Zealand is the largest general insurer in the country, trading under the AMI, State, NZI, NAC, Lumley and Lantern brands, as well as providing the general insurance products sold by ASB, BNZ, Westpac and The Co-operative Bank. IAG New Zealand employs over 4,000 people, holds relationships with one in every two New Zealand households, and insures over NZ$1.07 trillion of commercial and domestic assets.
NZ Herald
30-04-2025
- Climate
- NZ Herald
Severe rain breaks records in Northland, closes highways and floods areas
Weather systems from the north were behind the downpours. They brought warmer, moist air and heavy rain that caused slips and floods throughout Northland. Floodwaters caused by heavy rain closed State Highway 1 at Cape Rēinga for five hours on Tuesday afternoon. Later that evening, State Highway 1 through the Mangamuka Gorge closed after a slip blocked the main route north to Kaitāia. The closure was the second in three days. The first was during Sunday's torrential rain. NZ Transport Agency Northland and Auckland regional manager for maintenance and operations, Jacqui Hori-Hoult, said minor overslips were expected from time to time because of the gorge's challenging geology and varying terrain. She said they were generally easier to manage than the more complex underslips that were repaired after severe storms closed the gorge in 2022. The road was still closed yesterday afternoon with SH10 an available detour. The Mangamuka Gorge was not the only portion of SH1 to suffer from April's weather. Ex-tropical Cyclone Tam caused a slip on the Brynderwyn Hills on Easter Sunday, briefly closing the southbound lane. A vehicle was hit by falling debris, leaving the driver shaken but unhurt. However, rural roads appeared to bear the brunt of April's rains. Many, especially in the Far North, flooded as rivers swelled from three weeks of rain. Winter was still a month away, but already people were feeling the strain of the unusually heavy downpours. Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board member Roddy Hapati Pihema said the wet weather was particularly stressful for people in rural areas. ' ... As they can often become cut off from the main towns and family, not to mention resources. 'No roads often means there is no way to see doctors or do shopping. Children can't make it to school or course, then there's the fact that they can't get to their place of employment.' Pihema said communities were working with Civil Defence to prepare for different weather events. Locals with a strong knowledge of their areas, such as Pihema, regularly checked river levels, culverts, and made welfare checks at freedom camping spots. He said while residents were a 'strong breed' who knew how to sustain themselves, more could be done to provide future resilience. Pihema believed a lot of stress would be relieved if more funding for capital works was available to seal and lift roads in rural communities. Hori-Hoult said NZTA planned to undertake resealing and resurfacing at a large number of sites, as well as drainage improvements. She said crews would monitor the network for potholes and damage and respond as quickly as possible. Pihema praised local government's efforts to ensure resilience, saying it was doing 'exceptionally well'. . Research commissioned by AMI, State and NZI Wild Weather Tracker showed more than half of New Zealanders have experienced anxiety over storms and heavy rainfall. The research showed Northlanders had lodged the fourth-most claims for natural hazard events nationwide between last September and February. Otago lodged the most. Northland Civil Defence Emergency Management Group spokesman Zachary Woods said many areas in Northland had flood-prone roads and farms. He encouraged people to know the risks and have a plan, plus keep up to date with the weather. Woods said there were community-led Civil Defence centres and other Civil Defence centres that opened during adverse weather if required.
