Waimea and Wakefield urban supplies return to Phase A water restrictions

Richmond, Brightwater, Hope, Wakefield, Redwood 1 and 2 and Māpua water supplies return to Phase A restrictions

Most urban water restrictions return to Phase A

Richmond, Brightwater, Hope, Wakefield, Redwood 1 and 2 and Māpua water supplies return to Phase A restrictions

“Waimea and Wakefield and their rural extensions will return to Phase A water restrictions, effective immediately”  Community Infrastructure Group Manager Richard Kirby said.

Richard went on to say “sufficient levels of recent and expected rainfall had eased concerns around excess water takes in the affected areas.” 

“We had been abstracting slightly more than our consent daily limits for the week up until yesterday, Monday January 30. However, the recent rainfall should have lowered water consumption.” 

“We want to thank everyone for doing their part to reduce their water use – we will continue to monitor our water supplies as summer continues.” 

“In the meantime, we encourage residents in all areas of the district to continue conserving water as much as possible.” 

Waimea includes Richmond, Brightwater, Hope, Redwood 1 and 2 and Māpua water supplies. 

Under Phase A restrictions, watering of grass or lawns is not permitted.  However, watering decorative and productive gardens is permitted using a handheld hose with trigger nozzle or time limited water system.    

For pool owners, filling a pool is prohibited at this time, however topping up a pool is still permitted.       

Nelson residents living adjacent to Champion Road, where water is supplied from the Richmond Water Supply Scheme, are also included in these Phase B water restrictions.  

This covers the Wakatu Industrial Estate, Champion Rd and parts of Saxton Road West.  

 Richard said “Phase A restrictions would be reviewed next week.”   

There’s lots you can do at home and at work to reduce your water use. Check them out at tasman.govt.nz/water saving tips and remember, every drop counts! 

Tasman District Council

Pigeon Post New, Richmond.

Tasman’s Dry Weather Taskforce Has Lifted Some Water Restrictions

Tasman District Council lifts Stage One water restrictions

Tasman’s Dry Weather Taskforce Convenor Kim Drummond - Press Release

Recent rain and the prospect of more in the coming days has prompted Tasman District Council to lift Stage One water restrictions for users in Motupiko, Tadmor and Waimea Plains water management zones, effective immediately.  

Tasman’s Dry Weather Taskforce had previously made the decision to introduce restrictions to affiliated and unaffiliated consent holders from Monday, 30 January, based on data which suggested a possible dip below trigger levels for our rivers and dams.  

However, Taskforce Convenor Kim Drummond, said that the region had useful but varying amounts of rain last week, which has helped raise river flows to varying degrees across the region and above restriction triggers.  

More useful rain is predicted this coming Wednesday, February 1, and towards the end of the week.  

“Based on information at hand, restrictions in place are lifted immediately,” Kim said. 

“This means Stage One rationing - or a cut in use by 20 percent of consented water take levels - is no longer required for the Motupiko and Tadmor water management zones, as well as unaffiliated and affiliated consent holders in the Waimea Delta, Golden Hills, Redwood, Waimea Reservoir, Upper Confined, Waimea Upper Catchment and Waimea West water management zones. 

Taskforce Convenor Kim Drummond said “Council will continue to keep an eye on river flows, aquifer levels and salinity in the coastal aquifers. The deep Moutere aquifer in the Eastern zone continues to drop and the rain impact on this will be monitored as well.  

“The need for a Dry Weather Task Force meeting will be evaluated again early next week” Kim said. 

Tasman District Council

Pigeon Post News, Richmond

MetService Weather - Heavy Rain Watch area northwest of Motueka

Heavy Rain Watch northwest of Motueka

Weather Watch in Tasman

There are 11 warnings or watches in the North Island, one in the Upper South and one in Westland south of Otira

A significant rain event is flowing from the Northeast and MetService advises to stay up to date with the latest information at www.metservice.com/warnings and take care out there.

Heavy Rain Watch

Period: 13hrs from 7am - 8pm Wed, 1 Feb

Area: Tasman northwest of Motueka

Forecast: Periods of heavy rain. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria.

Issued: 9:17am Tue 31 Jan

Next update: 9:00pm Tue 31 Jan

Tasman Weather

TOMORROW 1 Feb

Periods of rain developing in the morning, possibly heavy and thundery. Northeasterlies developing around midday.

Issued 7:49pm Tue 31 Jan

THURSDAY 2 Feb

Occasional rain. Northerlies, easing in the evening.

Issued 9:52am Tue 31 Jan

Farewell Spit at 9pm Tue, 31 Jan

• Temperature: 20°
• Wind Speed: 7km/h
• WInd Direction: East
• Rainfall (last hour): 0.0mm
• Humidity: 84%
• Pressure: 1017hPa

Pigeon Post News

NELSON REGIONAL WEATHER - Heavy Rain Watches and Severe Thunderstorm Watch

 

Rain, pressure and wind 30 Jan to 3 Feb 2023

Upper North Island not out of the woods yet

30/1/2023

Covering period of Mon 30 Jan - Thu 2 Feb

MetService has issued a fresh batch of Severe Weather Warnings for regions recently affected by extreme rain. The moisture lingers through the week and even spreads across the South Island.

Heavy rain with the potential for thunderstorms and downpours returns to northern areas early on Tuesday and will continue into Wednesday.

MetService meteorologist Lewis Ferris warns, “The very warm and humid airmass covering Aotearoa brings ripe conditions for persistent, heavy rain plus the risk of thunderstorms which can further intensify the rainfall.”

Localised parts of Northland (especially north of Whangārei) could see in excess of 200mm of rain fall in around 24 hours which, given the already sodden ground, could bring about flooding quickly. Parts of Auckland could see a further 100mm or more and people should be preparing for further rain related impacts from late on Tuesday into Wednesday.

Coromandel Peninsula is also in the firing line with this next event, and the Heavy Rain Watch currently in force is expected to be upgraded to a Warning later today (Monday) as forecast rain is likely to bring about further slips midweek. Wednesday through Friday could see further rain accumulate around northern regions, but current information is suggesting this rain will be less heavy and not as widespread. Please follow advice from local authorities.

Heavy rain shifts to the Coromandel and Bay of Plenty on Wednesday and parts of the South Island will also receive some moisture.

Western areas of the South Island are running a lot drier than normal (20-50% of January normal) but look to get a string of rainy days from midweek into the weekend. This may come as welcome news but there’s the potential of heavy rain in the mix too.

“Nationwide we’re in for a week of steamy temperatures which will be notably warm overnight. New Plymouth Airport only got down to 20.2°C Monday morning, making it one of its warmest January nights,” says Lewis.

“On a more positive note current information suggests the upper North Island will have some settled weather for Waitangi weekend.”

Given northern areas of Aotearoa New Zealand have already experienced record-breaking rainfall this month it is more important than ever to keep up with the latest forecasts.

NELSON REGIONAL FORECAST

Heavy Rain Watch


Period: 6hrs from 9am - 3pm Mon, 30 Jan

Area: Tasman northwest of Motueka

Forecast: Periods of heavy rain, with thunderstorms possible. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria in some places. Note, another burst of heavy rain is expected on Wednesday and early Thursday, and another Watch may be issued closer to the time.
Issued: 9:00am Mon 30 Jan
Next update: 9:00pm Mon 30 Jan

Heavy Rain Watch


Period: 4hrs from 9am - 1pm Mon, 30 Jan

Area: Richmond and Bryant ranges, Rai Valley area and the Marlborough Sounds

Forecast: Periods of heavy rain. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria in some places.
Issued: 9:00am Mon 30 Jan
Next update: 9:00pm Mon 30 Jan

Severe Thunderstorm Watch


Period: 8hrs from 1pm - 9pm Mon, 30 Jan

Area: Marlborough, Nelson, Buller, Canterbury Plains, Canterbury High Country

Forecast: Scattered heavy showers and thunderstorms are expected over inland parts of Buller, Nelson, Marlborough and north to mid Canterbury this afternoon and evening. Some of these thunderstorms may become slow moving and SEVERE, producing localised downpours of 25 to 40 mm/h and hail. Rainfall of this intensity can cause surface and/or flash flooding, especially about low-lying areas such as streams, rivers or narrow valleys, and may also lead to slips. Driving conditions will also be hazardous with surface flooding and poor visibility in heavy rain. Expect thunderstorms to ease tonight.
Issued: 8:19am Mon 30 Jan
Next update: 9:00pm Mon 30 Jan

Monday

 30 JAN

Mostly cloudy. Scattered showers, some heavy, with thunderstorms and a risk downpours inland, easing this evening. Northeasterlies, dying out this evening.

Issued: 1:57pm Mon 30 Jan

Tuesday

 31 JAN

Cloudy periods. Isolated showers inland from late morning. Light winds, easterlies about Golden Bay.

Issued: 11:31am Mon 30 Jan

Wednesday

 1 FEB

Rain. Northeasterlies developing.

Issued: 9:41am Mon 30 Jan

MetService

Pigeon Post News, Richmond

State of Emergency declared in Auckland

Heavy rain causing flooding, evacuations and State of Emergency declared in Auckland

27 - 28 Jan 2023

Auckland Airport flooded and evacuated

27 Jan 2023

Auckland mayor Wayne Brown has declared a state of emergency in the Auckland region which comes into force immediately and will expire in seven days.

"This declaration reflects the extent of damage, displacement and disruption caused by this evening's severe weather event and enables emergency services and response agencies to draw on resources, and enact additional powers, to assist affected Aucklanders," Brown said in a statement.

Auckland Northern Motorway flooded

MetService has issued a red level heavy rain warning for Auckland about and south of Cape Rodney until 3am on Saturday with up to 120mm of rain forecast in addition to the 150-200mm that had already fallen.

The rain was likely to cause significant flooding and dangerous river conditions, MetService said.

Slips and flooding were likely to disrupt travel and make some roads impassable possibly isolating communities, it said.

MetService reported 238mm of rain had fallen across central Auckland on Friday.

North Shore Auckland, Shopping Centre flooded

An emergency accommodation centre has been set up at St Leonard's Primary School at 15 St Leonards Road in the west Auckland suburb of Kelston to house people evacuated from floodwaters.

Auckland Emergency Management said staff were out assessing flooding, including reports of people being rescued from the roofs of their houses.

Duty Controller Andrew Clark said people should stay at home and shelter if it was safe to do so.

Victoria Park tunnel to Northern Motorway Flooded

The severe weather was set to continue until the early hours of Saturday morning, he said.

Power company Vector said that today's flooding has impacted the electricity network causing widespread outages, particularly in West Auckland.

The Elton John concert scheduled for Mt Smart stadium on Friday night was cancelled, but there were already around 11,000 people at the stadium when the announcement was made.

A building on Candia Road, Auckland slipped down a hill

Motorists are being advised to stay off the roads in the Auckland region if possible and not to drive through flood waters. Many roads are flooded and large sections of motorways and main roads are flooded.

Many residents in West Auckland have their homes flooded.

Latest Tweet from:

Auckland Transport

There is currently widespread disruption across our public transport and roading network as a result of today's severe rain and flooding. Please stay at home if you can, and if you do need to travel please take care.

Flooding in Henderson, West Auckland

Flooding in Auckland International Airport

Victoria Park - Franklin Rd intersection Auckland City

Approach to Harbour Bridge from Auckland City

Mt Eden Road Auckland

Pigeon Post News, Richmond, Tasman,

More heavy rain in store for the upper North Island

MetService Weather

Covering period of Thursday 26 - Monday 30 January

A humid northerly flow has set up over Aotearoa / New Zealand and is here for the long run. While this warm air from the north will raise temperatures across the country, it will also bring rain along with it. 

MetService is forecasting more heavy rain for the upper North Island, particularly for Northland, the Coromandel Peninsula, and the Bay of Plenty, areas which have already received significant rain this month.

MetService Meteorologist Jessie Owen says “It is going to be a very wet start to Auckland Anniversary weekend. Heavy rain could cause flooding and slips and make travel hazardous so if you’re planning on heading away for the long weekend it’s a good idea to keep up with the forecasts and perhaps consider delaying your travel.”

Heavy rain is expected to move onto Northland on Thursday evening where a Heavy Rain Warning is in force until Friday evening. 

It will then continue to spread south; a Heavy Rain Watch is in force for northern Auckland on Friday and Heavy Rain Warnings have been issued for the Coromandel and Bay of Plenty from Friday through to Saturday. 

There is also a Strong Wind Watch in place for northeasterly winds in Auckland on Friday. 

Further south, those celebrating Nelson Anniversary should have better luck, while they may still see some scattered rain or showers across the weekend plenty of fine breaks are also in store. 

Hot temperatures across the South Island will take a brief plunge on Saturday after a cold front spreads up the east coast, before bouncing back again on Sunday. 

Owen says, “Christchurch in particular is forecast to drop from a high of 28°C on Friday right down to 21°C on Saturday, before climbing back to a high of 29°C by Monday.”

The humid air from the north is expected to persist into next week, which could bring further bouts of heavy rain to northern areas, and also to the west of the South Island which has largely escaped the heavy rain so far this year. 

Keep up with the latest severe weather updates at https://www.metservice.com/warnings/severe-weather-outlook and https://www.metservice.com/warnings/home

Rainfall for the next 5 days

Pigeon Post News, Richmond

Tasman District Council to start water rationing

January, 2023

A WIDE AREA OF WATER RATIONING IN TASMAN  

Stage One water restrictions

Stage One water restrictions for users in Motupiko, Tadmor and Waimea Plains water management zones will come into force from Monday, 30 January. 

Tasman’s Dry Weather Taskforce had its first meeting for the summer on Tuesday 24 January to assess the water situation around the district. 

Taskforce Convenor, Kim Drummond, said that while data showed most rivers and dams in the district were above their trigger levels, at the present rate of recession they are likely to dip below the triggers soon. At present it doesn’t look like there will be sufficient rainfall in the coming days to hold the river levels up. 

 As a result, Stage One rationing, meaning a cut in use by 20 percent of consented water take levels, was announced for the Motupiko and Tadmor water management zones, as well as unaffiliated and affiliated consent holders in the Waimea Delta, Golden Hills, Redwood, Waimea Reservoir, Upper Confined, Waimea Upper Catchment and Waimea West water management zones. 

Watering of lawns or decorative gardens is not permitted for any water user situated in water management zones where Stage One rationing is in effect.  

“By going into Stage One at an early stage, it is hoped that we can delay and hopefully avoid the need of going into Stage two restriction in the coming weeks”. 

“While all the Waimea water users - affiliated and unaffiliated to the Waimea Community Dam - are being treated the same as we move into this initial rationing step, we will see a change in the approach should we move beyond stage one rationing.”   

The Stage One position will be reviewed at the next Taskforce meeting on Tuesday January 31, 2023. 

 

Phase A restrictions introduced for Waimea and Wakefield urban supplies 

Tasman District Council Community Infrastructure Group Manager Richard Kirby announced that Phase A watering restrictions are also being introduced for the Waimea and Wakefield council water supplies, and their rural extensions, effective immediately 

 Waimea includes Richmond, Brightwater, Hope, Redwood 1 and 2 and Māpua water supplies. 

These particular restrictions apply with immediate effect from Wednesday January 25, 2023. 

Under Phase A restrictions, watering of grass or lawns is not permitted.  However, watering decorative and productive gardens is permitted using a handheld hose with trigger nozzle or time limited water system.   

For pool owners, filling a pool is prohibited at this time, however topping up a pool is still permitted.      

Nelson residents living adjacent to Champion Road, where water is supplied from the Richmond Water Supply Scheme, will also face Phase A water restrictions. 

This also covers the Wakatu Industrial Estate, Champion and parts of Saxton Road West. 

Richard said the Phase A restrictions would be reviewed later in the week, with a move to Phase B possible in the coming days. 

Residents in all areas of the district are encouraged to conserve water as much as possible and hints on how to do that are available on the Council website.    

More details on what the restrictions mean can be found at  tasman/govt.nz/link/water-restrictions

Tasman District Council

Pigeon Post News, Richmond