A pre-emptive state of emergency has been declared in Nelson-Tasman after orange heavy rain warnings were issued for the upper North Island and upper South Island as a strong, moist front barrels towards New Zealand.
Nelson-Tasman Emergency Management said it is a “pre-emptive step, due to existing conditions in the region”, following the recent severe weather.
“Nelson Tasman Emergency Management has been activated and will be monitoring the incoming weather,” it said.
“The weather front is expected to reach the Nelson Tasman region tomorrow from 9am, with the worst of the weather expected around midday. This includes heavy rainfall and potentially strong winds.”
The agency urged people with livestock to move them to higher ground, and asked residents to “keep clear of waterways” as they could “rise rapidly if heavy rainfall was to occur”.
“Care needs to be taken around trees, as there is the chance of trees toppling with strong winds and the existing sodden ground conditions. It is recommended that people stay off the roads and avoid unnecessary travel, as road conditions will be slippery.”
Civil Defence officials in the upper South Island said the situation “isn’t looking the best” and the NZ Transport Agency warned the “hazardous conditions” coincided with the end of school holidays and motorists needed to take extra care.
MetService said a front, preceded by a strong moist northerly flow, was forecast to move east across the country on Friday and Saturday morning.
Areas saturated by heavy rain late last month were in the firing line again, with Nelson, Tasman, parts of Marlborough and southern Taranaki set for a drenching over the next two days.
Nelson has a high chance of being upgraded to a red level heavy rain warning, MetService said.
“Dangerous river conditions, flooding, and slips likely. Dangerous driving conditions and road closures are expected.”
Northland, Auckland, the Coromandel Peninsula and the Waikato region were also expected be lashed by heavy rain, with up to 110mm possible in some areas.
MetService said streams and rivers could rise rapidly and that surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions were possible.
Heavy rain watches were in force for the southern Waikato, Bay of Plenty, and northern Taranaki, with strong wind watches for Taihape, Whanganui, and Banks Peninsula.
MetService meteorologist Michael Pawley said heavy rain would be falling in areas that had seen “significant rainfall” recently.
“Parts of Nelson have already received an average years’ worth of rain since January. The risk is that already saturated soil and damaged infrastructure will struggle to cope with an additional burst of rain.”
He urged drivers to take it easy on the roads and consider changing the timing of travel.
“Consider timing your journey for when the rain eases if you’re traveling though affected areas.”
Forecast ‘isn’t looking the best’ — Civil Defence
Nelson Tasman Civil Defence said the forecast for Friday and Saturday “isn’t looking the best”.
“The hydrology team are looking into the potential impact for our region, and we will provide updates as soon as they are available.
“If you have previously been affected over the past couple of weeks, we suggest that you start preparing for more rain.”
Emergency agencies on standby
Marlborough Emergency Management said its coordination centre was ready to respond, should it be required. A planning and intelligence meeting was held this afternoon, emergency services manager Matt Kerr said.
“The region’s emergency management agencies are on standby and ready if needed tomorrow and on Saturday. We are closely monitoring the forecasts.
“Council’s hydrologists will determine if rivers are likely to become a concern or not, and we will decide what level of response capability may be needed, from tomorrow.”
Kerr said council hydrologists and rivers engineers are not expecting the Wairau River to get as high as two weeks ago.
“Based on the current forecast models the maximum expected is 3,000 cumecs at the SH1 bridge; it may be alot lower than that, which means it is well within the safety limit for the Spring Creek community. It’s unlikely any precautionary evacuation will be advised.”
“People should take precautions — limit your travel, look out for flood water and slips and be aware that streams and rivers may rise rapidly.
“Groundwater levels in some parts of Marlborough are at an all-time high and we may see further localised flooding in parts of Rārangi and in Spring Creek, for example.”
Crews in Marlborough have continued work today to clear a large slip on Northbank Rd, which emergency management said would require “regular monitoring” even once cleared due to its hazardous nature.
“Scheduled opening times for Friday 11 July remain from 7.30am to 9am and 4.30pm to 5.30pm. On Saturday and Sunday an additional midday opening will be added providing openings at 7.30am to 9am, 12pm to 1pm and 4.30pm to 5.30pm.”
‘Plan ahead’ for travel, NZTA says
New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) noted the weather event coincided with the end of school holidays and said people travelling through the Coromandel and wider Waikato in particular tomorrow should plan ahead for “hazardous weather”.
“The ground is already sodden from higher than usual rainfall in June, meaning there is a risk of flooding in low lying areas, as well as slips, surface water and debris on the road.”
It advised people to check the NZTA journey planner online and keep up with the latest weather information.
“Drivers should be prepared that road surfaces could be slippery due to surface water and there’s a possibility of downed trees or powerlines and debris on the roads.
“The heaviest falls should finish early Saturday morning.”
Full list of weather warnings and watches
Orange Heavy Rain Warning
Northland and Auckland (excluding Great Barrier Island) – 16 hours from 6am Friday.
Great Barrier Island, Coromandel Peninsula and Waikato – 15 hours from 11am Friday.
Taranaki Maunga – 13 hours from 11am Friday.
Tasman District northwest of Motueka – 12 hours from 9am Friday.
Nelson (about and southeast of Motueka and north of Lake Rotoroa), Marlborough (northwest of Awatere Valley) – 16 hours from 9am Friday.
Orange Strong Wind Warning
Taranaki south of the Maunga – 11 hours from 12pm Friday.
Heavy Rain Watch
Bay of Plenty including Rotorua – 16 hours from 1pm Friday.
Waikato, Taumarunui and Taupō – 12 hours from 2pm Friday.
Taranaki north of the Maunga – 13 hours from 11am Friday.
Strong Wind Watch
Taihape and Whanganui – 12 hours from 12pm Friday.
Banks Peninsula – 10 hours from 6pm Friday.
