Update 8pm: Approximately 13000 customers are without power in Golden Bay, Motueka, Tapawera and the Waimea Plains. Fallen trees and flooding are preventing crews from accessing many parts of the network. A Network Tasman statement says crews will be out at first light to begin repairs. Most affected customers can expect to be without power tonight, possibly longer. Please treat all downed powerlines as live and remember the power will be restored without warning.
Update 7.30pm: Tasman Mayor Tim King says the region is being hit by the worst-case scenario, as torrential rain batters the area.
He says people were trapped across several roads, due to flooding and slips, and the darkness was only making the situation more difficult.
He says Fire and Emergency was trying to make its way to help people.
Tim says others were isolated in their homes, as water continued to rise, although they were not at immediate risk.
Nelson City Council is getting reports of trees down across Nelson as strong winds hit the city. Trees are reportedly down in Marsden Valley and Victory Square.
A video taken at 7.10pm shows a large section of the Nelson Harvey Norman roof flapping in the wind.
A number of Tasman District Council water supplies have been affected by power outages, flooding or pipe breaks.
As the storm conditions continue, others may also be affected in the next few hours. TDC therefore request that everyone on a council water supply conserve water wherever possible until further notice.
A spokesperson says Kaiteriteri and Riwaka will run out of water.
There is also a power outage affecting the Tapawera water treatment plant, which means there is a limited amount of water left for people on this scheme as water cannot currently be treated or pumped to the reservoir. The need to conserve water on this supply is very important.
Update 6.15pm An Emergency Mobile Alert (EMA) has been issued. Flooding is possible in Tākaka township. If you feel unsafe, please evacuate to higher ground and be prepared to stay until the water subsides (see map). Please call 111 if there is an emergency.
Civil Defence was preparing for water to flood the Tākaka township.
"The rainfall has really just picked up in Tākaka," Nelson Tasman Civil Defence controller, Alec Louverdis, told Checkpoint.
"At this stage, everything's OK, but the worst-case scenario is water is expected in the township.
"Our expectation is that it won't go into homes, but some businesses may be flooded."
Power is out to Redwood Valley, Moutere Highway, Teapot Valley, Eves Valley and Waimea West, Mahana including Dominion and Hoddy Rd, Thorpe, Dovedale, Tapawera, Tadmor, Motupika, Wangapeka, Tākaka, Collingwood, and all surrounding areas, and Motueka and surrounding areas.
Update 6pm: Alec says the situation in the region is "absolutely hectic" with heavy rain pounding the region.
Kaiteriteri and Riwaka residents have been issued a conserve water notice, as civil defence try to get a water tanker to the areas.
He said this deluge was different from the weather bomb two weeks ago, with intense rain “smashing” the area.
Update 5.30pm Two people have been trapped in the Mārahau area by floodwater, Nelson Tasman Civil Defence says.
Civil defence group controller Alec Louverdis said they are not in danger, but they are facing a night in isolation, due to flooding.
The region is being smashed by rain and the situation has changed drastically in the past 40 minutes, Alce says.
His message to residents is to stay out of any water and to not travel.
Fire and Emergency is responding to reports of people trapped by floodwaters in the Tasman Nelson region.
FENZ said some people were stuck in their homes and others in their cars in many places around Motueka.
It said weather conditions were severe and people should stay off the roads, unless they need to evacuate.
Update 5.05pm: Power is out to a large area of Tasman.
Network Tasman report electricity losses to Redwood Valley, Moutere Highway, Teapot Valley, Eves Valley and Waimea West, Mahana including Dominion and Hoddy Rd, Thorpe, Dovedale, Tākaka, Collingwood, and all surrounding areas, and Motueka and surrounding areas.
Network Tasman say there is currently no estimated time of restoration for the faults. It would try to restore electricity to Golden Bay this evening, but with strong winds and road closures making it dangerous for crews, it would likely stay off overnight.
Network Tasman couldn't confirm how many properties were affected, but said it would be in the thousands.
Update 4:50 pm: Road closures in place in the Top of the South can be expected to remain in place overnight and until further notice.
This includes State Highway 6 Rocks Road in Nelson. It will be closed overnight, and a site investigation into debris and rock falls that have caused its closure will be carried out tomorrow morning.
Heavy rain and high winds continue to affect the region, and road closures must remain in place to keep the public safe.
Ongoing rain is causing slips and flooding at multiple locations across the region, and strong winds are also bringing down trees and other debris. Drivers are urged to avoid any unnecessary travel and those who are using the roads must be prepared for hazardous driving conditions.
State highways will be reopened when it is safe to do so. Drivers must obey all road closures. They are there to keep the public safe.
Updates will be provided as the situation changes.
Current Closures:
Update 4.30pm: Unconfirmed reports are coming in that power is out to Motueka, Riwaka, parts of Moutere, and large parts of Tākaka.
An earlier urgent conserve water notice has been expanded to now include Riwaka as well as Kaiteriteri.
"There is a major issue with the water supply line connecting Kaiterieteri and Riwaka to the reservoir. Supply is very low, and fast running out of water," A Tasman District Council statement says.
Update 4pm: Nelson Tasman Civil Defence estimates about 100 homes have been evacuated as rain continues to pelt the region.
Civil Defence group controller Alec Louverdis says conditions have worsened in the past half hour.
Tasman district southeast of Motueka and north of Lake Rotoroa is under the highest red heavy rain warning. The rest of the top of the South Island is under an orange warning and Nelson and Tasman have declared a state of emergency.
All those who evacuated in previous weather events are being asked to leave their properties now and go to higher ground.
Civil Defence staff are door-knocking in affected areas and a text alert has been sent to residents.
Alec says the deluge is as bad as that experienced a fortnight ago, and rain will continue to fall for several hours.
Kaiteriteri has been issued with an urgent notice to conserve water due to a "major issue with the water supply line connecting Kaiteriteri to the reservoir". Supply is very low, and is fast running out.
Tasman District Council urges residents to "please stop all non-urgent water use - eg washing, dishes, flushing the toilet, as we expect water to run out soon".
"Please store what you have. We are sending people over to investigate and work on this, but this may take time depending on road conditions, so please bear with us," a statement read. "We are also looking at getting a tanker in place at the village centre, but that will depend on access, and we will confirm that when we can."
Update 3pm: Roads are beginning to close around the region with heavy rain battering Nelson Tasman with no highway access from Brightwater to Kawatiri.
Current road closures are:
Surface flooding is also affecting State Highway 60 near Appleby. With rain continuing to fall and weather warnings in place until later tonight, the chance of further disruption and closures on the State Highway network are possible.
Access to Tapawera is reportedly blocked, with all roads in and out closed due to fallen trees.
The local volunteer fire brigade reports that two vehicles have been struck by falling trees, with no reported injuries.
The SH6 Rocks Road closure will create traffic delays and congestion for afternoon commuters. Drivers must be prepared for travel delays.
Updates will be provided as the situation changes. People should avoid non-essential travel and ensure they stay up to date on the latest weather, Civil Defence, and road information.
An Emergency Mobile Alert (EMA) has been issued. This only applies to Tasman residents who were evacuated in the previous severe weather event, or if you feel unsafe due to hazards.
Affected areas include:
Between Tapawera and Riwaka, along the Motueka River Valley, including Motupiko River and Tadmor River
Between Wakefield and Brightwater, along Wai-iti and Pitfure Rivers
Low-lying areas in the Moutere Valley**If this applies to you, please evacuate to higher ground NOW.**Where to go?
If you have friends, whānau/family in a safe location, please go there in the first instance. If you need somewhere to go, please go to the nearest Civil Defence welfare centre. Tea, coffee, and biscuits will be available.
Civil Defence welfare centres are located:
Ngātīmoti - Ngatimoti School, 4 Greenhill Road, Motueka, open from 10 am, Friday, 11 July, to 12pm, Saturday, 12 July.
Riwaka - Riwaka Hall, SH60, Riwaka, open from 10 am, Friday, 11 July, to 12pm, Saturday, 12 July.
Tapawera - Tapawera Community Centre, 95 Main Road, Tapawera, open from 10 am, Friday, 11 July, to 12pm, Saturday, 12 July.
Wakefield - Wakefield Worship Centre 130 Edward Street, Wakefield, open from 10:30 am to 6 pm Friday, 11 July
Spooners is now closed, according to Tapawera Volunteer Fire Brigade.
Update 1.10pm: Trees are reported to have fallen in parts of Tasman as heavy rain and wind bears down on the region.
Nelson App has received reports of trees down on the road on both the Hope Saddle and Stock Rd, Wait-iti.
Tapawera Volunteer Fire Brigade report they are aware of trees down at Spooners Range, Tadmor and the Hope Saddle.
"A local was lucky enough to see it come down in front on them without being harmed," they said on their Facebook page.
A heavy rain warning has been upgraded to red - the most severe - for parts of Tasman.
Metservice issued an Orange Rain Warning on Thursday that covers the entire Top of the South .
That warning for those about and southeast of Motueka and north of Lake Rotoroa, has now been upgraded to a Red Warning.
The warning is in effect for Tapawera, Brightwater, Wakefield, Ngātīmoti and parts of Motueka.
The escalation to a Red Warning comes on the back of three weeks of heavy rain events that have led to very saturated conditions and high river levels, with further rainfall expected with the current weather system. The region has already seen more than 50 mm of rain so far today, with a further 80 to 120 mm expected.
Metservice warned of threats to life from dangerous river conditions, significant flooding and slips.
“Dangerous river conditions, flooding, slips, and dangerous road conditions are expected," says MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane.
“A Red Warning signifies that people need to act now as immediate action is required to protect people, animals and property from the impact of the weather. People should also be prepared to follow the advice of official authorities and emergency services.”
This is the second Red Warning MetService has issued this year, and it’s the 17th Red Warning weather event since the highest alert level was introduced back in May 2019.
A satch for strong winds is also in place for the Tasman District for northerlies and northeasterlies approaching severe gale. The wet ground may act together with the strong winds to increase the chances of trees falling.
Tasman Mayor Tim King told RNZ that residents are fed up with extreme weather events that have flooded the region in the past two weeks, as more heavy rain looms today.
The region is in a second state of emergency which was declared pre-emptively yesterday to allow emergency management to prepare for the latest drenching, expected from midday.
He says the region has had half it's annual rainfall in the last two weeks and today there's also a concern trees may topple in strong winds also forecast.
NZTA director regional relationships, Emma Speight, says Red Warnings must be taken seriously.
“There is no room for complacency. Keep an eye on the weather and avoid unnecessary travel. If you’re in a safe place, stay there and don’t put yourself at risk by driving on flooded roads.
“It’s also about reducing danger to others too. Respect and obey any road closures that are in place. They are there to keep people safe. Ignoring them not only risks your own safety, but also that of anyone who may be called on to help rescue you,” she says.
She also asks people to avoid driving through floodwaters.
“Flood waters can obscure hidden dangers. You just don’t know what is below the surface. Also, driving through flooded areas creates bow waves that can cause more damage to homes and properties. Please, don’t do this."
Contractors are on call and ready to respond to events as they arise and will do their best to keep state highways open.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand has deployed an eight-person specialist water rescue team from Christchurch to Nelson in advance of more heavy rain warnings.
Director service delivery operations, Brendan Nally, says the team got into place early as Nelson has only two roads into the district, and they are prone to flooding and cutting the district off.
"Our specialist team is on the ground ready to support local brigades if needed when the rain comes," Brendan says.
They are warning people not to drive through any floodwater and to respect all "road closed" signs.
"It’s impossible to judge the depth of water so when people become stranded, they are in danger of drowning."
Fire and Emergency is also deploying a four-person, wide-area damage assessment team to Nelson this morning. These teams are part of Fire and Emergency’s urban search and rescue capability, and they assess whether buildings impacted by floods, landslips and earthquakes are safe to enter.
What's it like where you are? Send photos to sara@topsouthmedia.co.nz
