 |
| Buller Emergency Management Centre |
The West Coast is in emergency mode due to the Red severe weather warning with the West Coast DHB prepared for and monitoring the expected impact of the current severe weather event.
In Buller, the majority of residents at O’Conor Rest Home have been evacuated yesterday to alternative accommodation – some have gone to stay with family, a handful to a facility in Nelson-Marlborough, some down to Te Nikau in Greymouth and the majority are now on their way to Christchurch. There are some residents still at O’Conor Rest Home who will be evacuated today.
Four hours ago the West Coast Emergency Management advised the public to be ready today in case you have to evacuate. Have your grab bags handy, connect with friends and family, assist your neighbours to get ready, and make sure your car is good to go to take you to higher ground.
The Buller Emergency Management have updated the forecast for today and the next few days for Westport. More rain is set to come through Friday and into Saturday morning.
A half an hour ago the advised “Buller Emergency Operations Centre is working to make arrangements for any mandatory evacuations if required in the next few days. This includes arranging evacuation centres for residents if or when required.”
“In the meantime, we are asking residents to self-evacuate if they can easily do so to friends and family OUTSIDE OF WESTPORT.”
“The Coast Road and Gorge are still open, so moving East and South out of town are still safe options.”
“Self-evacuation is encouraged for those who experienced flooding in July last year as a precaution.”
“Further evacuation decisions will be made as we get more clarity around rainfall in the next 24 hours.”
The West Coast Emergency Management Centre have outlined the road closures and warnings:
SH 6 Fox Glacier to Haast, Road closed due to flooding update 12 pm 3rd Feb
SH 6 Haast Pass, Road closed due to flooding update 12pm 3rd Feb
Road Warnings
SH 6 Hokitika to Fox Glacier, Area Warning due to Surface water as the result of heavy rain. More heavy rain forecast. Slow down
SH 67 Westport to Mokihinu, Area Warning due to Surface water due to heavy rain. Slow down
The WCEM advise that “rainfall intensities are beginning to ease but rain is continuing to fall. The Haast River, Waiho River in Franz Josef and Hokitiki Rivers in Westland continue to be monitored very closely.”
“Rivers levels throughout the West Coast Region are being monitoring by flood teams as further rise is predicted as rain continues. The Metservice are predicting ongoing rain, although intensities may ease through Thursday in Westland but are expected to continue from midday Thursday, with heavy falls on Friday.”
For Buller, further rain is likely overnight Thursday, Friday and Saturday morning, and this Warning could be extended.
West Coast Regional Emergency Control Centre (ECC) Controller Trevor Watt has urged “all West Coast Westland Residents to remain prepared for further rain and rising rivers. Do not take unnecessary risks around rivers and streams and please limit unnecessary travel due to surface flooding and slips.”
Pigeon Post News
No comments:
Post a Comment