More than 350 major slips are affecting roads and homes across the region following the severe rain this week according to Civil Defence.
Civil Defence controller Alec Louverdis spoke to displaced residents at Saxton Stadium today and says the journey will be long for the region to recover.
As the scale of the clean-up starts to become clear, those affected have been touched by how the community has rallied around them.
Officials say the number of landslips in the district is immeasurable.
Nelson resident Mark Sheehan said the amount of damage caused to his property this week was 'surreal'.
He had been approved to re-enter his house, but his back yard was buried under a metre of silt, and he says up to fifty houses on Nile Street had mud pour through their properties.
Sunningdale Drive resident Markelle Ward was evacuated from her home around 2.30am on Saturday morning after a slip came down behind her property.
Returning later on Saturday morning, Markelle and husband Steve, were greeted by a sea of mud and debris covering their property.
“The neighbour came across the road and before you know it, we had a digger here to help clear the section, and our colleagues have been here all day, the support has been amazing.”
A public meeting was held this afternoon for those affected by the weather event. The meeting was for those who have been evacuated or whose properties have been impacted.
Properties
Alec Louverdis says the response team are working as quickly as they can to get people home safely and so far have done and initial assessment of 284 of 570 properties impacted by flooding and slips. They have asked for more building officers from councils around the country.
Of those 264 have been given a white sticker, meaning they are safe to return to, like many in the Maitai area did on Saturday afternoon.
Eleven have been given a yellow sticker, meaning they can be lived in but require significant repair.
Nine have been red stickered meaning they are uninhabitable.
The remaining homes are planned to be assessed by 5pm Monday.
The geotech and building officials will follow to investigate the stickered houses - with all inspections planned to be complete by 5pm Friday.
Civil Defence urge those who are still displaced to wait to hear that your area has been inspected before returning home.
Roading:
Rocks Rd
The closure of SH 6 through Rocks Rd is now set to remain in place until Tuesday.
Waka Kotahi acting national manager maintenance and operations, Mark Owen, says assessments of the cliff face and the areas above it mean it is not safe to reopen to traffic, cyclists, or pedestrians.
“We will update the road’s status on Tuesday, 23 August, at the same time as we provide updated information on the closures of State Highway 6, Nelson to Blenheim, and State Highway 63, Renwick to Saint Arnaud,” he says.
“We appreciate these closures are frustrating for road users and residents, but the nature and extent of the damage mean safety has to come first. These roads are currently not safe and therefore not open to public access.”
between Renwick and Havelock is restricted to emergency access only.
“There is extensive flood damage to this area. We ask that people respect the road closure as contractors and emergency services are the priority here”, Mr Owen says.
SH6 Atawhai
Mark says progress has been made on SH 6, Atawhai Drive, north of Nelson.
“Road crews have managed to reopen this stretch of road to two lanes to Hira, restoring access for residents. This has involved a lot of work done under challenging conditions.
Flooding did close SH6 at Kohatu overnight. However, it was reopened early this morning.
Tasman/ Tākaka:
State Highway 60 from Appleby through to Upper Tākaka is open. However, the route has been affected by flood damage. Some surface flooding remains between Appleby and Riwaka, and traffic management is in place.
The Tākaka Hill is open. A large slip at Whiskey Creek was cleared overnight.
State Highway 60 between Tākaka and Onekaka is open to light vehicles only. Work is underway to assess future heavy vehicle access, but due to vulnerability, geotechnical advice is this route is not suitable for larger vehicles.
Two routes into Nelson from Blenheim remain closed
Recovery and assessment work is continuing. However, because of the extent of the damage caused, it will be some time before the links between Nelson and Blenheim on SH 6 and SH 63 are restored. An update on their status will be provided on Tuesday, 23 August.
The only alternative route into Nelson from Blenheim, the West Coast and Canterbury is via the Lewis Pass, State Highway 7, and Murchison, State Highways 65 and 6
State Highway closures:
Rāhui place on entire coastline
Te Tauihu iwi have placed a rāhui across the entire northern coastline of Te Tauihu as floodwaters continue to pose significant disruptions.
The rāhui, which took effect at noon on Saturday, covers the area from Te Parinui o Whiti (the White Bluffs) in the east, west to Kahurangi Point, including Aorere and Tai Tapu. It covers all coastlines, river mouths, and floodwaters, and prevents the gathering of seafood and kai in these areas as well as swimming and entering the water.
Rabbit Island reopens
Tasman District Council say after an assessment of the area this morning, the front beach reserve of Moturoa/ Rabbit Island is now open to pedestrians.
However, due to deep surface water covering the roads it will remain closed to vehicles. A cordon will be placed at the end of Ken Beck Drive and cars can park at his location. This allows a short walk to the front beach.
Tracks and roads in Kingsland Forest, in the hills behind Richmond, have not been fully assessed and closures may be be put in place.
Hill Street South walkway track to Grassy Saddle is already closed as many sections of track have been lost to slips.
Mayoral relief fund open for donations
The Nelson Tasman mayoral relief fund is open to public donations to support the immediate needs of evacuees and others affected by the barrage of rain and subsequent floods and landslides.
Nelson mayor Rachel Reese says it is a straightforward way to channel the overwhelming support.
Donations can be made via direct bank deposits to the Nelson City Council bank account 03 0703 0325055 00 using the reference Mayoral Relief Fund.
Civil Defence are asking those around the region to continue to limit travel where possible and for those in Nelson to conserve water.
"For now, please don't hose out your driveway or other activities that use a lot of water. We know this is frustrating, but Nelson's water supply is still under capacity and won't be able to cope with the extra use," a spokesperson said on Sunday.
