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The timeliness of weather warnings and alerts have again come under question. Auckland councilors and independent weather forecasters were among those seeking answers over the weekend, with severe thunderstorm warnings issued hours into the event. Overnight on Saturday, dozens of homes were flooded. However, as the weekend went on, emergency phone alerts did peak up and joining me now as Auckland councilor for why Tarket Award Shane Henderson Shane, good.
Morning, Goyoda, good morning.
So we're officials too slow to respond in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Yeah, look, I think from the met Service, you know, my community and we Stork actually felt the majority of storm activity before a weather watch has actually been put in place.
But hang on, I think we've got Shane back. Good Sorry, just lost it there, Shane. You mute yourself.
Hey you goodness? See, Yeah, I hope I'm okay.
Now, So you were saying, yeah, too slow to respond? Were you happy with the responses the weekend went on.
Metservice really stepped up after that and really improved, So, you know, I was really encouraged by that, and I think we can have some confidence in there. But it's also just keeping an eye on these things and making sure that they're working appropriately.
Just one thing. I you know, I don't really object to getting the alerts, even though they slightly reminded me of COVID times, But I'm not sure i'd want to get one of those at three am in the morning. Do you think that there need to be a different standard as too, you know, I mean it's look, the storm might be on its way and that's the only time they can send it. What do you think about what can be sent out when?
Now the issue was the weather watch coming through the metservi's website, because that triggers other agencies and people following along that gives them information, So it doesn't necessarily need to be a text alert at that point. Just depends on how the severity is. But yeah, yeah, so that's an important distinction there.
Yeah, because I'm sure we accept when at maybe seven o'clock in the evening, but maybe not so much three o'clock in.
The morning exactly, and.
Not this last time we'll be talking about this, Shane. I appreciate your time this morning. That's Auckland Council Full up four Tarket Award.
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