First signs of weather event emerge following overnight rain across Nelson Tasman

17 August, 2022

Police confirmed at 11.30 this morning 17 August that SH6 Rocks Road is closed following a slip this morning near Britannia Heights Nelson City. The Police advise to take an alternate route.

Main Road Stoke (Saxton to Sailsbury) will likely close soon and Maitai Road will close soon.

MEDIA RELEASE FROM NELSON TASMAN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

The anticipated heavy rain forecast appears to be coming to fruition across the Nelson Tasman region. Steady rain is setting in across Golden Bay, particularly in the Aorere Valley where between 22 and 29mm has fallen overnight, and more than 240mm in the last 30 hours.

The Aorere River just reached a level at which we can expect the Ferntown Road, near Collingwood, to be flooded this morning, although the current low tide may delay this slightly.

Other parts of Nelson Tasman have received low to moderate amounts of rain overnight – with less than 3mm overnight in Murchison and around Nelson City, while up to 18mm has fallen around Riuwaka.

Due to the likelihood of the Riuwaka River reaching significantly high levels today, peaking at around 3pm, residents in the vicinity of Cooks Corner were notified on Tuesday evening of potential flooding around their properties and to make plans accordingly.

The Nelson Tasman CDEM Emergency Operations Centre has been set up in monitoring mode this morning and we are expecting to become busier as the anticipated rain and wind descends on the area.

We would like to reiterate that the weather is expected to get worse in the next 24 hours. Please ensure you take all the necessary precautions to prepare for potential hazards to keep your property, yourself and your loved ones safe.

Surface flooding, slips and tree falls are likely, so please delay unnecessary travel, particularly in the Golden Bay area and avoid the urge to go sightseeing.

Takaka sewage pump stations are struggling to cope with volumes and there are overflows at some sites. These overflows contain raw sewage and people must avoid these areas

Surface flooding and slips have already begun to cause road closures in Golden Bay.

Collingwood-Puponga Road is closed by Whites Bridge, One Spec Road, Pohara Gully due to flooding. Wainui Hill is closed just north of Tata Beach due to slips. Abel Tasman Drive is open (up to the Wainui Hill) but has a lot of surface flooding

A surface flooding warning is also in place for SH60 Upper Takaka and Collingwood. The road remains open but please take extra care and drive to the conditions.