How to: Get ready for potential severe weather

Severe weather can happen at any time. Major storms affect wide areas and can be accompanied by strong winds, heavy rain or snowfall, thunder, lightning, tornadoes, and rough seas. They can cause damage to property and infrastructure, affect crops and livestock, disrupt essential services, and cause coastal inundation.

Here are some simple, practical ways you can prepare your home and whānau before a storm: 

• Know your Hazards:  Understand the different types of weather hazards that can occur in our area (flooding, strong winds and swells).
• Stay Informed: Check MetService for severe weather warning notifications, and make sure you know your local radio frequency. If there are Orange or Red warnings for the Bay of Plenty region, we will have information here on our website, and on our Facebook. 
• Reduce the Impacts: Trim trees and remove any debris or loose items from around your property. Tie down, or bring inside, anything that strong winds could pick up or break, such as trampolines or outdoor furniture. Clear leaves and debris from external drains to help prevent surface flooding.