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

Residents in the evacuation areas in Westport return home

After fears of a disastrous Friday night the Buller Emergency Management announced “It is with great pleasure that we let our community know that the effects of the recent storm have not been as severe as we feared. We welcome everybody in the evacuation areas in Westport to return to their homes.” 

‘The team will be doing further inspections and reconnaissance up the Buller Gorge and north of Westport to Karamea.”

“We will inform the community of any further issues in those areas once identified.” 

Clean-up in Westport

“Thank you for your cooperation and support over the last 3 days." The Buller Emergency Management made all the correct decisions during the storm and gave Westport residents plenty of forward planning to keep them safe.

“Travelling back to your home: You may encounter multiple hazards when driving such as slips, debris and surface water on the road. Take extra care on the road.”  

The Buller Emergency Management advised residents to “please stay safe as you return home and when you get home.” This was the advise given to residents very recently.

Buller Emergency Management

“When entering your property, be cautious and ensure everything is safe to use. Be careful with power and gas.”

The Buller Emergency Management advised residents about insurance, taking photos of any damage and not to eat anything from gardens that have been flooded.

Advise was for residents was to keep up to date with announcement from Buller Emergency Management

Westport

Buller Emergency Management said “returning home after another flood event can be a very emotional and distressing time.  

If you are feeling stressed or anxious, or would like additional support, talk to the friendly team at the Westport Flood Recovery Community Hub, 175 Palmerston Street. They can connect you with a local navigator and other support agencies. The Community Hub is open 9.30am to 4.00pm weekdays. Phone 0800 768 348.”

Further heavy rain expected for Tasman - CIVIL DEFENCE NOT ACTIVATED YET

 TASMAN HEAVY RAIN - Civil Defence Emergency Management Group Not yet Activated 

Tasman Bay

Tasman District Council is keeping a cautious eye on the next phase of severe weather approaching the region. 

Metservice has updated its weather forecast for Nelson and Tasman on Friday, with the area west of Motueka expected to experience 150 to 250mm of rain to accumulate about the ranges, and 60 to 100mm near the coast from midday Friday to 3am Saturday, in addition to what has already fallen. 

Peak rates of 15 to 25mm/h about the ranges, and up to 35mm/hr, are anticipated.  

Bryant Ranges

Council is also keeping an eye on what rainfall occurs around the Richmond and Bryant Ranges as well as the Nelson Lakes areas, particularly in relation to rising river levels. 

Between 150mm and 230mm of rain is expected to accumulate from 1pm Friday to 11am Saturday, in addition to what has already fallen, with peak rates of 10mm to 25mm/h. 

Richmond Ranges Saturday Morning 5th Feb

Staff were made aware of several minor slips in the district overnight, as well as pooling of water near Pōhara and on properties near the Tākaka River. However, no road closures were necessary. 

The Nelson Tasman Civil Defence Emergency Management Group was yet to activate the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) as of 2pm on Friday but were monitoring the situation as it developed. 

Takaka Hill Road that has just been repaired after storms

The Aorere, Anatoki and Tākaka areas of Golden Bay have received between 229mm and 433mm in the last two days.   

Rivers in Golden Bay have receded thanks to a brief pause in rainfall on Friday but will again rise this evening with the forecast rain expected to see slightly higher flows than Thursday, peaking later tonight and early Saturday morning.   

River flows occurring so far have not caused any issues, and this should remain the case with subsequent flows to come.     

However, with the saturation already seen in Golden Bay, and also in the hills behind Richmond and Nelson, we remain cautious that any unexpected high intensities could cause flooding higher than predicted levels.

As the event proceeds, there are also likely to be some slips and surface flooding.

Richmond looking towards Nelson Airport Saturday 5th Feb

Council encourages everyone to take care during the wet weather period, especially when driving or in the vicinity of rivers and waterways.

Weather Report:

MetService

ORANGE warning heavy rain warning remains in forces for parts of Tasman, Marlborough, Wellington, Horowhenua Kapiti Coast, Tararua Range and Mount Taranaki. Heavy rain watch is force for the remainder of Taranaki, Taumarunui, Taihape and Whanganui.

Heavy rain may cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly. Surface flooding and slips are also possible and driving conditions may be hazardous.

Area: Nelson Lakes

Period: 4hrs from 9pm Fri, 4 Feb - 1am Sat, 5 Feb

Forecast: Periods of heavy rain. Expect 60 to 90mm of rain to accumulate, in addition to what has already fallen. Peak rates of 10 to 25mm/h.

Area: Tasman west of Motueka

Period: 6hrs from 9pm Fri, 4 Feb - 3am Sat, 5 Feb

Forecast: Periods of heavy rain. Expect another 60 to 100mm of rain to accumulate about the ranges, and 50 to 80mm near the coast, in addition to what has already fallen. Peak rates of 10 to 25mm/h especially about the ranges.

Area: Rai Valley, Richmond and Bryant Ranges

Period: 12hrs from 9pm Fri, 4 Feb - 9am Sat, 5 Feb

Forecast: Periods of heavy rain. Expect 80 to 110mm of rain to accumulate, in addition to what has already fallen. Peak rates of 10 to 25mm/h.

Pigeon Post News

Thanks to Tasman District Council

Westport - A well organised evacuation

Buller River Westport

Today the evacuation began in Westport and the Mayor Jamie Cleine gave an update on the current situation.

Buller district mayor Jamie Cleine said “heavy rain is expected to pass through overnight and ease to just passing showers by tomorrow afternoon.” 

Buller Emergency Management

“The Westport community are all doing a fantastic job of evacuating.

281 houses have been visited by Police, Fire and Emergency, Westport Land Search and Rescue and our volunteers and already over 158 households have evacuated.” 

Helicopters are assisting the medically vulnerable to get out of evacuation areas. He believes we are all getting through this together. 

He thanked the community for moving swiftly and wanted them to keep safe.

Westport

He is “comfortable that they have evacuated enough of Westport for the present event and that evacuations are now just about complete.

There were many residents who self evacuated 48-24 hours ago when Buller Emergency Management suggested that people should start evacuating. A significant number of people made the move.

“Messaging has been going out for about 2 days for people to evacuate as they had a good idea that there was going to be a flood.”

Help came from all over the South Island

There has been very good forward planning and modelling with help from the MetService. Modelling suggested the Buller River would rise to a similar level as the 2021 event, "so slightly less than the July flood at this stage”.

Westport

There has been some resistance from some residents to evacuate but he said “they don’t want them to become a rescue situation in the middle of the night.”

The Buller Emergency Management have a full evacuation plan right down to a full list of streets that would need to be evacuated.

The Army was there to help

“The river is being monitored and it should be at its highest at 2.30 am Saturday tomorrow.”

The Prime Minister will be in Westport tomorrow and the Government has provided everything that Westport needs.

“The community have learnt well from the July event and have acted well today.”

Sandbags Westport

“Emergency Services have come from all over the South Island to help. Due to the proactive start to this event by the Buller Emergency Management and media, the public have been well informed.”

The community knew what to do as many prepared themselves to evacuate like turning off the power, water and gas which made it safer for authorities and utilities in the area.

Westport

“People have been told to be prepared to evacuate for three days. At 3pm Friday, officials reassessed the situation and were comfortable enough that Westport had been evacuated enough,” Cleine said.

“Anyone outside the evacuated areas who felt unsafe could choose to leave too, and anyone who could not stay with friends or family could stay at a welfare centre set up at the old Holcim cement site near Cape Foulwind” Buller Emergency Management said.

Buller

Road closure updates Buller:

• State Highway 67 between Waimangaroa to Birchfield is closed due to impassable surface water.

• Bulls Road has surface water. Drive carefully. 

• Derby Street to Domett Street is closed due to surface water.

• Denniston Road is one lane and caution needs to be taken due slumps on the third corner up. 

Buller

Pigeon Post News

4 Feb 2022

NELSON CITY COUNCIL - UNDATE ON ROADS

Rai Valley

4th Feb

SH6 between Rai Valley and Hira is closed due to flooding.

Rai Valley flooding 4th Feb

We have also been made aware of a minor slip on Cable Bay Rd and some surface flooding in the Maitai Valley which has required the closure of the Maitai Valley Rd between Sharlands and the golf course. 

Maitai Valley Rd Nelson

Our teams are keeping a close watch on Monaco as we are expecting that debris clean-up will be required on the receding tide

Monaco Nelson

Pigeon Post News

Boil Water Notice for Eighty-Eight Valley Supply

 

BOIL WATER NOTICE TASMAN DISTRICT COUNCIL

04 February 2022

Tasman District Council has issued a boil water notice for residents connected to the Eighty-Eight Valley water supply south of Richmond. 

Heavy rain has increased turbidity in the water that supplies the valley’s water treatment plant making it potentially unsafe, so as a precaution a Boil Water Notice has been issued. 

Residents are also being asked to conserve water wherever possible to limit the amount of dirty water that is drawn into their storage tanks and pipes. 

 

EIGHTY EIGHTY VALLEY WATER SUPPLY SOUTH OF RICHMOND  BOIL WATER 

People should boil all water used for: 

• Drinking  
• Food preparation 
• Mixing cold beverages 
• Utensil washing and food preparation 
• Brushing your teeth 
• Pets 
• Ice making 

Water should be brought to a rolling boil (where bubbles appear in the center and do not disappear when the water is stirred) for one minute or boil a full electric jug until it switches off. 

Cool the water (do not use ice cubes to do this) and pour into clean container with a lid and refrigerate until needed. 

It is likely that the boil water notice will be in place until Tuesday 8 February but will be dependent on how quickly the source water recovers from the current rainfall event. Updated information will be posted on the council website, Facebook page and Twitter. 

Please note that nearly all household filters provide no protection against bacterial contamination. If you have an under the sink carbon filter or cartridge filter, you still need to boil your water. 

For further information please call the Council on 03 543 8400.

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Trying to keep in touch with the community!

Wild Weather -Tasman residents urged to take care as heavy rain forecast for region

Weather Warning Zones up to 9am Friday. MetService

Tasman District Council has reiterated the need for residents to take care out there, with extended periods of heavy rain forecast in the coming days. 

A significant amount of rain has already fallen overnight in the region, with well over 300 mm in parts of Golden Bay and up to 170mm recorded in the hills behind Richmond and Nelson. 

MetService New Zealand updated their weather warnings on Thursday, with an Orange Heavy Rain Warning now in place for the Richmond and Bryant Ranges, and Nelson Lakes until 3am Saturday 5 February. Expect 200 to 350mm of rain to accumulate. Peak rates of 10 to 20mm/h. 

Rocks Road Closed Until 2pm Thursday. Photo R Therkleson

The Orange Heavy Rain Warning also remains in place for Golden Bay and areas west of Motueka, with a further 250mm to 380mm of rain expected to accumulate about the ranges on top of what has already fallen, and 150mm to 220mm near the coast.  

Peak rates of 15 to 25mm/h are forecast about the ranges, and up to 30mm/hr at times.  

A Red Heavy Rain Warning remains in place for the Buller Region. 

Slip on the West Coast. Buller District Council

With the high level of saturation already seen across the region, Council is monitoring the situation as it develops and remains cautious of the possible effects from ongoing rainfall. 

People are reminded to be aware of the possibility of flooding, slips and rising river levels. 

Wild Weather along Rocks Road. Photo R. Therkleson

River levels are on the rise as expected. However, under the current forecast high river levels are expected to be centred in the Aorere Valley and to a lesser extent Tākaka catchments, peaking on Friday evening and Saturday morning. 

Rainfall on the Richmond Ranges is constant. Photo R Therkleson

With the increase in rainfall totals for the Richmond Ranges by Saturday, flows in the eastern rivers may exceed annual flood levels, but major flooding is still not forecast. 

Driving conditions may also be hazardous, so please drive to the conditions and allow extra time to get to your destination. 

If not done already, residents are being reminded to make sure drain areas are clear of debris and stock should be moved away from river flats. 

Rivers are rising. Buller District Council

There is the potential for some coastal erosion during high tides, but no coastal inundation of significance. 

Rain is expected to ease for a time Friday morning. However, further rain is possible Saturday night and Sunday and a new heavy rain watch or warning may be issued closer to the event.

Storm clouds over Richmond. Ray Therkleson

Thanks to Tasman District Council

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