All Gisborne Council (New Zealand) camping areas around the region will be closed from today due to the impending arrival of Cyclone Fili tonight.
According to a report, this is nearly three weeks earlier than the expected closure on April 30.
Council Liveable Communities Acting Director De-Arne Sutherland said that there can be no new campers arriving at campgrounds starting today.
New arrivals will be asked to move to a commercial campground where they can be supported better.
“Anyone who has a caravan at a camping area is asked to please remove it safely when they can, before April 30.”
“We are closing these areas early because of damage already experienced at coastal camping sites from the heavy rain event at the end of March. There is a real risk to campers’ safety with this new weather event forecast to hit Tairāwhiti tonight,” Sutherland said.
According to the council’s website, there is an anticipated 200-300mm of rain from Tuesday night to Wednesday evening. The rain is also expected to cause dangerous river conditions and significant flooding.
Slips and floodwaters are likely to disrupt travel, making some roads impassable and possibly isolating communities.
East Coast residents are also advised to prepare should they need to evacuate.
All residents living near rivers are also advised to sign-up to receive flood warning alerts via the Council’s website.
If you don’t have access to the internet, you may contact the Gisborne District Council at 0800 653 800.
This story originally appeared on Voxy.