More than 200 Nelson homes evacuated amid 1-in-100 year flooding

By 1news.co.nz

A state of emergency has been announced in Nelson. Read 1News’ live updates as a slow moving weather system brings heavy rain and strong winds to much of the country.

What you need to know

• There is a red rain warning in place for Westland and Nelson
• A state of emergency has been declared for the West Coast and Nelson
• Auckland and Northland are among places under a strong wind warning
• Click here to learn about the “atmospheric river” weather system

9pm: That’s all from us today. Stay safe this evening and join us again tomorrow.

8.20pm: Nelson-Tasman Civil Defence have provided an end-of-day update:

• 233 homes were successfully evacuated from Nelson East following the Maitai flooding

• NZ Defence Force personnel will be patrolling the evacuated area overnight to keep an eye on those properties
• There are a number of road closures due to flooding and slips- please stay off the roads where possible, especially in the dark
• If you are sick or isolating and you need to evacuate, please mask up, distance and let people know you are sick but still evacuate
• Boil water notices are in place for 88 Valley and Dovedale

8:00pm:

7:50pm: Buller’s emergency operations centre will be operating all night tonight.

Civil Defence Controller Douglas Marshall said about 160 households in low-lying parts of Westport had been encouraged to self-evacuate as a precaution this afternoon, to reduce the likelihood of urgent evacuations tonight.

Marshall said the main impacts of the heavy rain on the district are probably yet to come.

“I know people who have evacuated today will be keen to know when it’s safe to return home. All we can say tonight is that we will assess the situation in the morning and let people know how it’s looking as soon as we can,” he said.

7pm: Alec Louverdis, Group Controller for Nelson Tasman Civil Defence, told 1News “things changed drastically late this afternoon”.

When asked how many homes have been evacuated, Louverdis said: “Once we’re all finished, we’ll be up to about 223 households.”

6:40pm: MP for West Coast-Tasman Damien O’Connor will be in Nelson tomorrow, and Emergency Management Minister Kieran McAnulty will arrive on Friday, 1News has confirmed.

Poraha resident leaves home due to Golden Bay downpour

Thomas Cox is moving items to his in-laws as flooding hits his property. (Source: 1News)

6:10pm: Andrew James, Waka Kotahi Systems Manager Top of the South, says there are state highway closures in Tākaka, Nelson, and Marlborough.

“Currently, there is no direct link between Blenheim and Nelson because of flooding on State Highway 6 between Hira and Havelock. The alternative route is via SH63 and the Wairau Valley.

“As the rain is set to continue, State Highway 6 between Blenheim and Nelson and State Highway 60 between Tākaka and Collingwood are likely to remain closed until Friday.

“We really want to encourage those people in affected areas not to travel if they don’t have to.”

And NIWA has warned in a tweet that heavy rain will persist overnight and tomorrow for parts of Nelson, Tasman, Marlborough, Buller and the West Coast.

6pm: Nelson Mayor Rachel Reese has told 1News the flooding is a 1 in 100-year event.

Reese said it was unexpected as such intense rainfall wasn’t predicted for that area.

She says they’ve had good cooperation with evacuations and officials are trying to ensure everyone is out before nightfall.

5:40pm:

5pm: The bad news continues for an already sodden Nelson, as MetService now has the region under a red rain warning.

4:20pm: More video of an angry Maitai River.

4:05pm: A Westport couple has put in a mammoth effort to prepare their property for flooding.

Mike and Jackie Karl have had to “basically lift everything (in their home) up above the new river level” in case they can’t prevent the nearby river from flowing over its banks.

“It’s taken us the full day yesterday,” Mike told 1News on Wednesday – and that’s with the help of another couple.

Click here to read more.

4pm: Further road closures on State Highway 6 this afternoon.

3:50pm: Not looking pretty over the next few days.

3:30pm: A state of emergency has now been declared in Nelson after the Maitai River breached its banks.

Around 70 homes were being evacuated on Wednesday afternoon. (Source: Supplied)

“Nelson Tasman Civil Defence Emergency Management is asking people who live near the river from the Nile St Bridge to the Golf Course to evacuate.

“People are being asked to stay with friends and family if you are able.

“If people have no safe place to go, they should head to the Saxton Stadium where they will be able to gain assistance.”

3:10pm: Homes near the flooded Maitai River in Nelson are currently being evacuated.

1News understands around 70 homes will need to be evacuated. Police, Fire and Emergency and Civil Defence are door knocking.

A welfare centre has been set up at Saxton Oval.

A spokesperson said the river rose rapidly from a one in five year flood to a one in 20.

2:20pm:

Flooding in Marlborough District on August 17. (Source: 1News)

2:10pm: Buller Civil Defence is advising people in high risk areas to evacuate ahead of the coming rain.

“People in the Orowaiti Overflow area (Snodgrass), as well as Forbes and Coates Streets in Westport to evacuate today, based on updated forecasts and flood modelling.”

It says the Buller River is likely to peak in Westport on Thursday morning – likely between early and mid morning.

1pm: The wet weather looks to be settling in over the Far North now as well, according to the latest MetService rain radar images.

12:30pm: Westport residents have been pitching in to prepare for the latest round of flooding.

A number of people 1News talked to on Wednesday morning blamed “slow moving bureaucracy” for not addressing infrastructure issues.

12:15pm: MetService is reminding everyone around the country to be prepared, as the system won’t just affect the South Island.

12pm: And the major road closures begin…

11:50am: The Maitai River has flooded according to a Facebook post from Nelson City Council.

11:45am: MetService has issued strong wind warnings and watches for many parts of NZ over the coming days, including Auckland and Northland.

“Northeast winds may approach severe gale in exposed places at times,” MetService says in its Auckland warning.

This is in effect from 4pm Wednesday to 11pm Thursday.

11:40am: Buller Taxis has announced they will be putting on free services for people needing to evacuate should floodwaters rise.

“If you or your neighbours require help, then please do NOT hesitate to give us a ring on 037896900. Remember we do NOT charge in the event of an emergency as that it is part of our services to the community.”

11:15am: The big wet has started impacting Tasman and Marlborough District, with some forced to evacuate their homes in Golden Bay.

Read more about that here: Some residents evacuate, warning over Tākaka sewage overflow.

Background

MetService has issued a red heavy rain warning for Buller and Westland that took effect last night and runs through to Thursday afternoon.

The rain is expected to cause dangerous river conditions and significant flooding. Slips and floodwaters are likely to disrupt travel, making some roads impassable and possibly isolating communities.

For Buller the forecaster says to “expect a further 280 to 400 mm of rain to accumulate about the ranges south of Little Wanganui on top of what has already fallen, and 150 to 250 mm elsewhere. Peak rates of 15 to 20 mm/h about the ranges on Wednesday”.

READ MORE: State of emergency in place as West Coast braces for flooding

There are orange rain warnings in place for parts of Nelson and Tasman, with Golden Bay lashed with rain overnight.

Nelson-Tasman Emergency Management said more than 240mm of rain fallen in the Aorere Valley in the last 30 hours.