Timaru District Information

• Due to the risk from the high winds, all bin collections on Thursday have been suspended. Please keep your bin on your property.
• Please stay out of our parks and reserves, as there is a risk of serious injury from falling branches or trees.

Canterbury Region Information

Canterbury is currently sitting under a red wind warning for Thursday the 23^rd of October. We have already seen the impact of high winds and also rain in the headwaters causing our alpine rivers to rise quickly.

Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery, Mark Mitchell, has today declared a state of emergency for the Canterbury region to assist in the response to the current severe weather event.

The declaration has been made on our behalf as the Canterbury Mayors have not yet been able to be sworn in following the recent local elections.

Thursday’s forecast is for stronger wind and higher temperatures across a broader area of the region so we are asking people to please consider what preparations you can make tomorrow where we have a reprieve in the weather.

Canterbury Emergency Management is urging residents and visitors to prepare now, as MetService New Zealand has issued a red wind warning for Canterbury on Thursday, we are encouraging residents to use Wednesdays calmer weather to get prepared:

General

• Secure trampolines, outdoor furniture, and bins.
• Check for anything that could become airborne in high winds.
• Make sure pets and stock have safe shelter.
• If you’ve had an outdoor fire recently, check it’s completely out and cold to the touch.
• Avoid lighting any new fires or using gas cookers outside.
• Stay away from places where there are large trees.
• Avoid low-lying areas and be cautious around our rivers and lakes.
• Take care while driving, especially if you're heading into the high country.
• Make a plan with your family.  Industrial action is scheduled on Thursday that may affect your normal schedules – please plan accordingly.
• Consider how these winds may impact you and your property and take action to mitigate any impacts.

Winds of this strength may cause damage to powerlines and roofs, with threat to life from flying items and falling trees, dangerous driving conditions and significant disruption to transport and power supply.

If at any time you, your family and/or your property are at risk, immediately contact emergency services on 111.

Power outages

Charge your devices and prepare for possible power outages

• With potential impacts to power supply and transport please take this time to charge phones and prepare in the instance that you are without power.
• For the latest on outages and restoration time please check directly with your local power company

Communications

• Stay informed via radio, local council Facebook pages, CDEM Canterbury Facebook page and emergency services.
• Any updates or emergency messaging will be shared across media channels including radio if you happen to be without power.
• There is a radio in your car if you lose access to internet or communications.
• Your local service centre will have up to date information.

Travel

Avoid unnecessary travel from tomorrow evening. You may need to consider adjusting any travel plans you have with roads and highways already impacted.

• Further to this we are aware of the strikes that are occurring, so we want to reiterate the message avoid non-essential travel on Thursday.
• -Keep up to date on the NZTA website

Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Fire and Emergency New Zealand has declared a total ban on open fires and fireworks across the whole of Canterbury because of the gales, high temperatures and low humidity that are forecast for the next few days.

• Check your old burn piles on Wednesday and make sure they are cold all the way through. That means turning them over and looking for smouldering embers. A fire reigniting in the forecast winds could be devastating.
• While vegetation may appear green, this can be deceptive - dead fuels, such as grass and leaves, remain present and can ignite easily.