'Significant weather event' expected to hit region

A ‘significant weather event’ is expected to hit the region from Thursday evening, bringing heavy rain, with 450mm expected in some parts of Tasman.

Metservice has issued two severe weather warnings for the region that will be in place during Friday and Saturday.

An orange Heavy Rain Warning is in place for Tasman from Motueka westwards, with between 350 and 450mm expected to fall about the ranges, with less near the coast.

Peak rates of 25-35mm and hour, mainly about the ranges, are expected.

The warning covers the period from 3am Friday to midnight on Saturday.

A second orange Heavy Rain Warning is in place for Nelson Tasman, both south and east of Motueka and Marlborough, where up to 350mm of rain is expected.

Between 250 and 350mm of rain is expected about the ranges and in Rai Valley along with between 120 and 170mm elsewhere.

The warning is currently in place from 6pm Thursday to 12pm Saturday.

Metservice, along with Tasman District and Nelson City Councils, are closely monitoring the situation and warn that the orange warning could be upgraded to red – the most severe warning – sometime on Thursday.

Waka Kotahi warns drivers to prepare and check the conditions before travelling.

“This has the potential to cause flooding and slips. Highways could be closed at short notice if rivers and streams rise rapidly,” a spokesperson says.

“This is likely to be a significant weather event.”

Even though the path of the weather may change, Nelson Tasman Civil Defence and the region's Mayors are encouraging people to be ready.

Nelson Mayor Nick Smith is recommending people prepare now.

“These rainfall forecasts are sufficiently serious to be concerned. We should prepare for the worst and hope for the best.

"Make sure you have a plan and check on your neighbours or loved ones to be ready for whatever happens. If the weather hits during the day, think about how you will get home or pick up your children from school. We want everyone to be safe if this bad weather does hit.

“I was first briefed on Wednesday night, had an hour-long Teams session yesterday with the full Civil Defence Emergency Management team and wish to assure the community that we are well prepared if this develops into a major event.”

Tasman Mayor Tim King reiterated the need to be ready and safe.

“Our Emergency Management team are monitoring the event and are on standby if required.

“I encourage people to make sure they are ready. Our rural support networks are already contacting farmers to make sure stock are safely out of flood zones. For any tourists to our region, we strongly recommend they stay away from rivers, as they could rise rapidly depending on the intensity of the rain."

Nelson City Council group manager infrastructure says they are prepared for any eventuality.

"We understand that people will be feeling apprehensive about the predicted rainfall and what that might mean for our region.

"Civil Defence and Nelson and Tasman Councils met last night along with NEMA, iwi, FENZ, Te Whatu Ora, Police and others for a multi-agency hui to make sure we are prepared for any eventuality.

He says street sweepers are busy clearing drains and streets of autumn leaves and diggers are standing by at key locations.

"We urge people to clear gutters and roadside grates at their home and business to help keep storm drains clear of debris. This will help prevent areas from flooding during heavy rain. We ask that people stay off the road where possible to allow easy access for emergency services and first responders if required."

Council has teams of building inspectors and geotechnical engineers in place to monitor and inspect existing slips as a result of the August 2022 weather event, including around properties that currently have a red or yellow placard.

Work sites across the city, including at the St Vincent Street upgrade, Collingwood St and at the Maitai River/Groom Creek are being secured to minimise the impact of heavy rainfall.

Council is also working with outside agencies such as the Male Room, Salvation Army, and Te Piki Oranga to find a suitable venue to shelter people living on the street overnight, if there is a need for it due to the weather.

Agencies will continue to work with those who need assistance directly to make sure they know where to go tonight and are otherwise prepared.

Council's Navigator Team are in the process of calling residents with red and yellow placards on their properties as a result of the August weather event, to offer support.

"We urge anyone affected by the August weather event who needs help to call or email our Navigators on 03 546 0200 [email protected]. We are also checking in with rural communities like Kokoroa to let them know that we are here to assist should they need it," Alec says.

Closures in place:

- All Tasman sportsgrounds are closed from Thursday through the weekend.

-All Nelson sportsgrounds and reserves are now closed and will remain closed through Friday if the rain continues.

- Stafford Drive in Ruby Bay will be closed from 9pm Thursday evening. The road was severely damaged in the August floods.

"Although we managed to get the road open again, the hillside above it is still very unstable," A TDC spokesperson says.

It is anticipated the road will remain closed for the duration of the weather warnings.