Residents living on Wellington’s southern coast have just hours to evacuate ahead of monster waves that are set to pummel the coastline this morning. 

MetService has issued a heavy swell warning for Wellington and the South Wairarapa coastline, with swells up to 9m expected in the capital and 10.5m up the coast. 

Civil Defence has ordered residents in waterfront properties in Ōwhiro Bay, Island Bay, Houghton Bay and Breaker Bay to evacuate by 9am today, warning after that time it may be too dangerous to leave their properties. 

Lyall Bay was not included in the order. 

Ferry sailings have been cancelled, while road closures are likely and public transport users are being warned their routes may be affected. 

Wellington City Mayor Andrew Little declared a state of emergency for the southern and eastern wards yesterday evening. 

“We recommend residents leave tonight while it is safe to do so,” Wellington Region Emergency Management Office (WREMO) said on Monday. 

“You will be required to leave by 9am tomorrow [Tuesday]. After this time, it may be too dangerous to leave your property. Do not return until told it is safe to do so.” 

WREMO warned the swells, particularly on Wellington’s south coast, were forecast to be higher than those of June 2021. Those swells were predicted to reach 6.5m while today 8m swells are predicted. 

Dangerous waves, debris on roads, and road closures are expected, particularly around high tide, WREMO said. 

Evacuating residents have been told to prepare bags with essential items including medications and important documents, to take pets with them, and to check on neighbours who may need assistance. 

Those who could should stay with family and friends, or they could head to Wellington South Baptist Church at 284 The Parade, Island Bay. 

Interislander and Bluebridge ferry services have cancelled Cook Strait sailings, according to WREMO. 

The East by West ferry is cancelled until at least 2pm. 

MetLink users are also being warned to give themselves extra time as there could be delays or detours; they should also have a backup plan if possible. 

‘The ocean’s not something to be taken lightly’ 

Local man Thomas Win was sandbagging the front of his house and garage last night in case the water came over the seawall. 

“We’re packed, ready to go, we’re going to actually sleep in the lounge.” 

The family and their two cats would leave to stay with cousins before the evacuation order came into effect at 9am. 

They had moved into their home only last year but had already been affected by flooding, with water having to be vacuumed out of both garages and dehumidifiers running for four days after April’s wild weather. 

The family also lived in the Cook Islands and had experience with hurricanes, he said. 

“Being by the ocean is great until these sorts of things happen.” 

He didn’t think the warnings were “overkill”. 

“The ocean’s not something to be taken lightly.” 

South coast resident Debora East was preparing last night to evacuate to a friend’s house this morning. 

“We’ve lived on the coast for five years and we’ve not had any floods. I don’t think it’s a huge risk because the island actually breaks the power of the sea...but evacuation’s mandatory so we’re going to do it,” she said. 

“We need to take it seriously just in case.” 

She was only taking the essentials as well as some childhood photographs which were irreplaceable. 

MetService meteorologist Madeleine Neal said the large swells were being generated by a “cold front and strong southwest winds” associated with a low-pressure system far out at sea. 

Neal said the possibility of large waves pushing over sea walls, road closures and damage to homes had made evacuations necessary, as there was uncertainty about where exactly the worst impacts would occur. 

The Wellington warning, from Cape Terawhiti to Turakirae Head, has been in effect since 3am and will remain in place until 9am tomorrow. 

Southerly combined waves are forecast to rise to 8-9m about midday before easing by evening. 

The peak period for the swells is expected to be 13-15 seconds. 

“When we have longer periods between waves, it means there’s more energy being carried by the waves, which allows them to travel further inland and surge up beaches further than usual,” Neal said. 

The Wairarapa warning, which extends from Turakirae Head to Mataikona, was issued at noon yesterday and will remain in place until 9am tomorrow. 

Southerly combined waves are forecast to rise to 9.5-10.5m late this morning before easing tomorrow morning. 

Neal said it was likely the swells would push through Wellington harbour, possibly affecting Petone in Lower Hutt. 

While it was hard to predict the scale of the potential impact, Neal said it could affect the shared walking and cycling path, Te Ara Tupua, which could be “very upsetting” given it only opened weeks ago. 

“It will be a matter of if there’s any sheltering from the coast,” she said. 

She urged people to stay well away from exposed beaches and rocky shorelines, warning that long-period swells can carry significantly more energy and could surge further inland than people may expect.