75% prepared

Awesome work, guys!

According to the latest Annual Residents' Survey of 400 Porirua residents, 75% of you have stored food & water and have a household plan for an emergency. The last time the survey was done, we only recorded 56%. What changed your mind?

While I'd love to claim the credit, I know a significant proportion of it to be a direct result of the Canterbury earthquakes. It's sad, but true, that it takes a disaster to spur us into action. I wish it didn't.

There's hardly anyone that I know that doesn't have friends or family in Canterbury, and when it's friends and family telling you the things they've experienced, and what they've had to do to get through, it really makes you realise that it could happen to you too. Especially since the Wellington region was always the place waiting for the Big One - the Canterbury quakes came out of the blue.

Have you changed your attitude towards preparing for emergencies as a result of the Canterbury quakes, or is there something else which made you decide to get ready?

Are you one of those 75% who are prepared? If not, why not?

While we don't want to be having more disasters, if there are other things that have got you thinking and preparing, please let us know!

Rimutaka Hill Road now open

If you've been holding out to get over to Masterton, now's your chance. The Rimutaka Hill Road has finally reopened after being closed due to snow. It's currently a controlled operation and a 30km/hr speed restriction applies, so follow instructions and take care!

Rimutaka Hill Road closed

If you look out the window and can see Belmont, or the hills behind Pukerua Bay, you'll see them liberally dusted with snow. For some reason it makes me hungry for chocolate cake with icing sugar on top...

Well, the Rimutakas caught even more snow than we did, so the Rimutaka Hill Road over to Wairarapa is currently closed until they can clear it.

Earthquake "widely felt" ??

Apparently there was an earthquake 120km northwest of Wellington this evening, at 9:33pm.

Geonet reports it as measuring 5.2, located 120km down, and says it was widely felt in the North Island, and upper South Island.

"Widely felt" doesn't seem to include my place in this instance - I didn't notice a thing! I'm guessing it wasn't too exciting if I missed it while watching DVDs on the couch.

How about you, did you feel it? If you did, you might like to fill out the Geonet felt report.

Special Weather Advisory - snow!

The MetService has issued a Special Weather Advisory for a blast of freezing cold weather heading our way.

Very cold southerlies are expected to spread north over New Zealand overnight Saturday and during Sunday, bringing a period of significant wintery weather to much of the country.

We can expect snow to relatively low levels, which is likely to close the Rimutaka Hill Road, and we'll be blasted by cold sleety/snowy showers.

Doesn't sound very pleasant at all! I think staying at home where it's warm & dry and maybe watching a few DVDs will be a great plan. If you are planning on heading out and over the Rimutaka Hill Rd, it would pay to check that it's actually open before you leave home.

SH1 @ Paremata now open

State Highway 1 at Paremata roundabout is now open, but one lane only, so expect minor delays until it's fully cleared.

SH1 @ Paremata now closed to northbound traffic

State Highway 1 is now closed to all northbound traffic at the Paremata roundabout until further notice. Traffic is being diverted to State Highway 58 and Grays Road.

State Highway 1 will be closed from 9:30 for 2 hours

A B-train truck & trailer has rolled on its side at Paremata Roundabout, and is currently blocking the left northbound lane of State Highway 1. Motorists are advised to avoid the area if at all possible. If you cannot avoid using SH1 at Paremata expect delays.

A crane has been organised and is expected to be on site at 9:30am to right the vehicle. Owing to the location of the crash, the location of the crane for recovery operations, and the difficulties involved in righting the vehicle, State Highway 1 at Paremata will be closed for an estimated 2 hours from 9:30am this morning.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/5305380/Crashed-truck-to-close-State-Highway-1

Use your headlights in the rain!

The Porirua Police would like to remind you to use your headlights if out driving in the current weather conditions. Sounds obvious really, but the fact that that they've felt the need to make a news release about it, tells me it isn't happening out there today.

I have a rule that if I've turned on my windscreen wipers so I can see better, turning on my headlights will help people see me better.

And high visibility is definitely what is needed in this weather. The MetService has issued yet another Severe thunderstorm watch for much of the west coast of the lower North Island.

A front is expected to move from Farewell Spit to the outer Marlborough Sounds to the Kapiti Coast and then around the coast to south Taranaki this morning and afternoon.

There is a risk that one or two of the thunderstorms on and ahead of this front have the potential to become SEVERE and produce wind gusts over 110km/hr, one or two small tornadoes, bursts of heavy rain and small hail. This threat clears from the south through the afternoon.

Wind gusts of this strength can cause some structural damage, including trees and power lines, and may make driving hazardous. If any tornados occur, they will affect only very localised areas.

Another Severe Thunderstorm Watch & more wind & rain

The MetService has issued another Severe Thunderstorm Watch affecting much of the country, so expect more of this weekend's weather through tomorrow as well, easing by Tuesday afternoon.

The thunderstorms can bring very heavy rain, so watch for surface flooding and rising streams & rivers. There's also the possibility of very localised strong wind gusts and tornadoes, just like yesterday's one in Waikanae.

Also expect severe NW gales overnight tonight with wind speeds of 70km/h gusting to 140km/h in exposed places.

Winds that strong can damage buildings, trees & powerlines and make driving dangerous.

It's all a bit of a nasty mix, so take extra care when you are out and about over the next couple of days!