A local state of emergency was declared in Westland on Friday, but lifted on Saturday morning. Photo: RNZ / Tess Brunton
Heavy rain continued to lash the eastern part of the North Island and Westland overnight, and weather warnings remain in place for Gisborne / Tai Rāwhiti.
The East Cape recorded 16mm of rain overnight, and heavier rain is expected throughout the day.
Tai Rāwhiti about and north of Tolaga Bay could get up to 175mm of rain.
⚠ Severe Weather Warnings Issued 9.17am, 21st January 2024 pic.twitter.com/1FTTCClMH5
— MetService (@MetService) January 20, 2024
This morning MetService issued a severe thunderstorm warning in Wairarapa region, with its radar detecting severe thunderstorms near Featherston, Lake Wairarapa and Tauherenikau.
It said those thunderstorms - which could occur till past midday - are expected to be accompanied by very heavy rain, which could cause flooding near streams, gullies and urban areas, and potentially lead to slips.
MetService said driving conditions could become hazardous, and there could be low visibility.
A thunderstorm watch is also in place for the Wairarapa region until 8pm today, with localised downpours of 25-50mm an hour expected south of Masterton.
⚠ Severe Thunderstorm WARNING issued:
— MetService (@MetService) January 21, 2024
These thunderstorms are expected to be accompanied by very heavy rain. Localised downpours of 25-50mm/h can be expected and can occur with or without thunderstorms. pic.twitter.com/gkKYGbWti7
Meanwhile, parts of Westland recorded up to 50mm of rain overnight.
However, MetService said the front was moving southwards and would leave Westland by around midday.
A local state of emergency was declared in Westland on Friday, before being lifted on Saturday morning.
Westland District Council mayor Helen Lash said the region had fared relatively well, but local leaders were not taking any chances.
She told Morning Report that there had been a severe thunderstorm overnight but the front had already passed through. "It looks like we're at the tail end now."
If the predicted intense rain was in the back hills, that might have created problems, she said, but "at this stage it's more coastal".
Another rain event is predicted for the coming weekend, and Lash said she would be talking with communities further south on the West Coast and keeping an eye on water saturation points.
"They're the ones who were most impacted by the weather events we've just had."
NZTA Waka Kotahi closed State Highway 6 between Hokitika and Haast overnight on Friday during the state of emergency. Lash said they would prefer that roads were not closed during peak tourism season, but everyone understood that security and safety were the primary concern.
The community had been "very much behind" the decision to close the road and declare a local state of emergency because they used the roads themselves and appreciated the repercussions of not doing so. "We're going to be monitoring and see how this plays out."
