Buller - State of Emergency - Second time in a Week

A State of Emergency has been declared for Buller on the West Coast at 9.45am by Buller mayor Jamie Cleine following further rain impacts on the district for the second time in a week.

Buller has declared a state of emergency following impacts from further weather last night and today.

Voluntary evacuations are recommended by the Buller Emergency Management but now at 2.30 on Thursday for some areas mandatory evacuation is in place for parts of Westport after the state of emergency was declared.

Some houses are becoming wet and all roads in and out of Buller are closed with slips or flooding.

The event, which was under forecast, in terms of intensity and impacts, has left the district isolated.

Buller Emergency Management is recommending that people self-evacuate and mandatory to evacuation centres and higher ground, as far as practicable, given the current road closures.

The Buller River is 11.4 metres high and running at 7 thousand cubic metres a second but authorities are concerned about the amount of water in the upper reaches of the river which still has to flow through the Buller River.

The peak of the water in the Buller River should reach Buller at about 6-7 tonight when there is a high tide.

"This event was not forecast to have the impacts it has had, but the Emergency response is in hand, and the Emergency Operations Centre is here to help those who cannot help themselves,” says Controller Bob Dickson.

“Due to our current isolation, we don’t currently have the additional resource present in the district as we had last week. We encourage people to help themselves, and their neighbours. Anyone who needs special assistance should contact the Emergency Operations Centre on 0800 234 533.”

Evacuation centres have been arranged again for residents.

Buller Emergency Management said “we know people are weary after last week and will be feeling anxious – the Community Hub is open for support. Staff and navigators will be there to have a chat and a cup of tea. This is not an evacuation site. You can also call the Emergency Operations Centre on 0800 234 533”  

Evacuation areas in Westport

West Coast DHB

Philip Wheble, Incident Controller of the West Coast DHB said “the West Coast DHB staff are preparing to evacuate Buller Health due to the impacts of the current weather event in the region.

Until then, Buller Medical remains open for urgent care. If you live north of Westport, we have staff in Karamea and Ngakawau. And if you are in Reefton, Reefton Health is open.

Please note, that all outpatient clinics, day surgery appointments and planned care appointments have been cancelled.

If you are registered with Coast Medical, they are still open.  

Pigeon Post News