Marlborough Emergency Management has been activated as a precaution to monitor and prepare ahead of a Heavy Rain Warning – Red for parts of Marlborough’s southern boundary.
The rare MetService Red Rain Warning took effect from 4pm today and runs through to 3am Wednesday 8 July for Marlborough and Canterbury between Ward and Hanmer and southeast of the Awatere Valley, including the Kaikōura ranges
Incident Controller Matt Kerr said this was the first time an area of Marlborough had been subject to a Red Rain Warning.
“The areas of Marlborough most likely to be impacted are south of Ward and southeast of the Awatere Valley. Our main focus is State Highway 1 and all communities nearby in the Red warning area.
“MetService are advising people to expect 250 to 350 mm and possibly up to 400 mm. That is a significant amount of rain in a thirty-five-hour period.
“Residents in these areas should be extra vigilant. There is a high chance of swollen rivers, slips and impassable roads. There may also be power outages and a loss of communications resulting in isolated communities.
“People should avoid road travel especially along SH1. If the weather causes disruptions, respect road closure signs and do not attempt to drive through any floodwaters,” Mr Kerr said.
Marlborough Roads has advised that the Awatere Valley Road closed from 4pm today at the Jordan Bridge through to Limestone. The road will remain closed overnight until crews can access any further damage and will be re-opened once it is safe to do so.
Strong wind and ongoing treefalls also forced the closure of State Highway 63 in the Tasman district this afternoon. The highway is now closed between Kawatiri Junction and Howard Valley Road.
There is also a Heavy Rain Warning – Orange for about Marlborough and north of Blenheim for 30 hours from 6pm this evening through to midnight Tuesday, 7 July. People should expect 130 to 180 mm of rain with peak rates of 15 to 25 mm/h during Tuesday. There is a low chance of this upgrading to a Red Warning.
“Council’s hydrologists and engineers are monitoring the current weather situation. There are no river flooding issues expected for Spring Creek township or the Wairau River based on the current MetService forecasts,” Mr Kerr said.
However, Council’s water services team have advised that there could likely be capacity issues with stormwater and wastewater systems throughout Blenheim, and possibly Picton.
“Residents could experience slow toilet flushing within some of the adversely affected areas. We ask that they limit flushing when this occurs.”
There could also be some surface flooding in Rārangi but there are no concerns about Picton or Waikawa at this stage although there could be some high rain intensities.
“The general advice though for everyone out there is to be vigilant, stay off the roads and be safe,” Mr Kerr said.
Please note the weather forecast may change and that will be reflected in further updates.
Keep up to date online on Council’s website www.marlborough.govt.nz and NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi www.nzta.govt.nz
Follow MetService New Zealand for the latest weather advice - www.metservice.com
The next update will be tomorrow morning unless the situation changes.
