The morning after Ex-TC Gita

Ex Tropical Cyclone Gita passed across New Zealand on the 20 and 21 February 2018. Fortunately for us, the eye crossed the South Island and we escaped the worst of the wind and rain. Here are photos from the beach at low tide on 21 February.

By the vehicle entrance. The river is very close to properties.

By the time Gita reached us it had lost its Tropical Cyclone status. That didn’t stop it from hammering Taranaki, the top and middle of the South Island and the West Coast. It also took out at least 100 metres of sea wall on the Coast Road between Paraparaumu and Paekākāriki.

Coast road damage from Ex-TC Gita.
Coast road damage from Ex-TC Gita.

Low tide on 21 February 2018 was around 8 am. The river was running strong and full, and very close to the bank of the property at the end of Manga Pirau Street. The river and tide have carved out a step about 50 cm high at the vehicle entrance and seem to have eaten into yet more of the Miratana block to the south of the entrance.

On the Strathnaver side the beach has been swept clear right up to the base of the dunes. The tide and wind blew small driftwood and pumice into the dunes, and at least 10 metres along the south track from Reay Mackay Grove.

At the north track entrance the dunes have been edged with some large driftwood and the new area of dunes is becoming more and more clear as a unified front edge of the beach.

These photos by Miraz Jordan were taken between 8 am and 9 am, at various points along the beach.

At the vehicle entrance, where there's a 50 cm step to the beach.
At the vehicle entrance, where there’s a hidden 50 cm step to the beach.
At the vehicle entrance, with the fast flowing river .
At the vehicle entrance, with the fast flowing river .

By the vehicle entrance. The river is very close to properties.
By the vehicle entrance. The river is very close to properties.

Brown and white sea foam by the river at the vehicle entrance.
Brown and white sea foam by the river at the vehicle entrance.

Sea foam washed up on the banks of the Miratana block.
Sea foam washed up on the banks of the Miratana block.
Brown and white sea foam at the river's edge.
Brown and white sea foam at the river’s edge.
Fast flowing river.
Fast flowing river.
Fast flowing river.
Fast flowing river.
A new valley in the dunes by the north track to the beach off Reay Mackay Grove.
A new valley in the dunes by the north track to the beach off Reay Mackay Grove.
Debris came 10 metres up the south beach track from Reay Mackay Grove.
Debris came 10 metres up the south beach track from Reay Mackay Grove.

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Waikawa Beach or Manakau

New Zealand

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