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.
Low tide at Waikawa Beach 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 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 up and 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.
Originally published on 21 February 2018, with additional photos, at The morning after Ex-TC Gita – Waikawa Beach Ratepayers Association.
