We're having a 'better' than usual winter here at present.
The following may be standard fare for some countries but it's a bit 
more severe than we can usually expect at this time of year.

In the recent past our Civil Defence organisation has been running a 
disaster preparedness campaign with mail drops and extensive 
advertising.
"In the event of a major disaster our emergency services may be 
overloaded. If you need help it may take up to 3 days for assistance 
to reach you. You should be prepared to face emergency situations by 
yourself ... first aid kit ... food ... water ... torch, candles , 
stove ..."
Yeah right. They get all enthused and do this sort of thing every now 
and then. But, this is, NZ. right?

However:

In the last few days:

Civil Defence says that this is a "150 year storm".
(That's before Global Warming :-) ).

The "Far North" has had a state of civil emergency declared due to 
widespread flooding.
Some Northland towns are metres deep in water - Kaeo is one. TV shots 
of inflatable rescue craft patrolling the main street.
In Kawakawa 100's of people are sleeping in the local hall.

In Southland hospitals are beyond capacity due to vehicular and 
general accidents due to extensive black-ice. One hospital has opened 
a second temporary emergency department to cope.

Winds peaking to hurricane level in places - 100 mph +
The usual assortment of lost roofs etc.

Tornados are very rare in NZ. This isn't anything like Kansas, Toto.
Last week two tornados, small by US standards but impressive to us, 
had a good run through residential New Plymouth with typical results. 
Nobody hurt or dead.

Last night 70,000 people - most of Auckland's North Shore, were 
without power all night. South Auckland had blackouts and I'm told 
Waitakere did too. In adjacent Te Atatu I noted nothing unusual.

The annoyingly loud petrol engine running at 10pm last night just up 
the street was driving a water pump on a drain unblocking truck - 
presumably attempting to deflood one of the neighbours. As we live on 
a hill this is somewhat surprising.

Much of the Coromandel peninsular has been without power for the last 
24 hours and reportedly will be again tonight. Thames hospital (small) 
is running on a generator specially sent across from Hamilton for the 
occasion. Reportedly only one Coromandel peninsular petrol station is 
working.

Something I've never heard before on the radio, several time and for 
different areas in the last week.
"This is an emergency announcement. Would people who require emergency 
accommodation or financial assistance due to tornados in New Plymouth 
/ Flooding in Northland / ... please telephone 0800 ..."

Naomi & Philip have taken the week off to go skiing :-)






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