Update on 17 July 2021 weather event
Weather event - Nelson Tasman region
17 July 2021 - Update 14:00
The Nelson Tasman region has seen some heavy rainfall and strong winds over the last 12 hours. The Anatoki (at Paradise) has received the most rainfall with over 600 mm recorded from this event so far.
This intensity of rainfall has caused a number of floods, and roads have been closed throughout the region to make sure that people are kept safe. This includes the state highways into and out of the Nelson Tasman region.
The latest updates on the main highways can be found at https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic/regions/10
The forecast is showing that the heaviest rainfall has passed, and rivers are expected to recede over the next day. There may be isolated bursts of rainfall tonight, but these are unlikely to affect the river flow levels.
There has been damage to some of our local roads. Due to the extent of this damage, it may take some time to reopen these roads and clear any damage.
It is recommended that people treat any floodwaters as potentially contaminated and keep clear. It is also not recommended to drive through floodwaters.
Network Tasman has confirmed that approximately 100 customers in the Owen River area and 150 in the Upper Moutere area are without power. We are asking people to please be prepared for these outages lasting overnight.
If people are self-evacuating from their properties or are unable to reach their homes, we ask that you please look to stay with family or friends in the first instance. If you do not have any other option then please contact Tasman District Council on 03 543 8400.
Nelson Tasman Civil Defence and Emergency Management Group Controller Dennis Bush-King is recommending people be sensible and wait for the weather to pass. “ We would strongly encourage people to stay local, and not try and travel through the region. We are also asking people to think about their activities (including recreational activities) and not to do something that could put you or our emergency services at risk.”
“We realise that these weather events can be quite stressful. We’d like to reassure people that the Emergency Operations Centre has been activated, and are working with the various agencies (such as Fire and Emergency New Zealand, St Johns, Waka Kotahi – NZ Transport Agency and the Police) to make sure that we are carefully monitoring the situation”.
More information is available:
For Nelson/Marlborough Traffic closures - https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic/regions/10
For local road closures -
https://tasman.govt.nz/my-council/about-us/media-centre/news-and-notices/current-road-works/
For regular updates - https://www.facebook.com/nelsontasmancivildefenceandemergencymanagement
For other queries contact your local Council. Nelson City Council 03 546 0200 or Tasman District Council 03 543 8400.
ENDS.
Authorised by: Dennis Bush-King, Nelson Tasman Civil Defence and Emergency Management
Contact information
Media enquiries:
Public Information Manager 027 703 0409
EM.PIM@ncc.govt.nz