Cook Strait ferry sailings cancelled, residents told to stay off beaches as swells up to 10.5m forecast in Wellington

Wellington officials have declared a state of emergency for the city's southern and eastern wards as a severe southerly weather system approaches. MetService has issued heavy swell warnings, predicting wave heights could reach up to 10.5 meters in the Cook Strait area between Monday evening and Wednesday morning. Consequently, all ferry crossings across the strait have been suspended to ensure safety. Local authorities have ordered residents in vulnerable waterfront properties to evacuate by Tuesday morning, citing the potential for significant flooding and debris. An emergency assistance center has been established for those displaced by the order. Civil defense representatives are urging the public to stay away from beaches and coastal roads, warning that the danger persists even if local weather conditions appear calm.

The declaration of a state of emergency and the mandatory evacuations highlight the significant risk to public safety and infrastructure posed by the extreme maritime conditions.