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Red Alert: Torrential Rain Threatens New Zealand’s Tasman District

Evacuations urged as extreme weather bears down on already-soaked region.

Residents in the Tasman District of New Zealand are bracing for another deluge as a red heavy rain warning has been issued. With already saturated grounds, authorities are deeply concerned about potential threats to life from dangerous river conditions, significant flooding, and landslides.

Critical Weather Alert

The red warning, issued by MetService, covers areas about and southeast of **Motueka** and north of **Lake Rotoroa**. The warning remains in effect until at least 11 PM today, local time.

Expect a further 80 to 120mm of rain on top of what has already fallen. Peak rates of 10 to 20 mm/h expected this afternoon and evening,” MetService reported.

Officials warn that conditions will disrupt travel, render some roads impassable and isolate communities. Residents are urged not to enter floodwaters and to avoid travel, acting quickly to self-evacuate if they see rising water. Preparedness for power and communications outages is critical.

State of Emergency Declared

A pre-emptive state of emergency was declared in the **Nelson Tasman** region yesterday, following a prior deluge last week. The proactive measure underscores the severity of the impending weather event and the potential for widespread disruption.

According to the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), New Zealand has experienced a notable increase in extreme rainfall events in recent years, with some regions seeing a 20-30% rise in the frequency of such occurrences (NIWA).

Local Leadership Speaks Out

**Tasman Mayor Tim King** stated MetService indicated a “high likelihood that one of the warnings may go to red and a medium likelihood that the other one would”, covering two parts of the district.

Areas of particular concern include the region northwest of **Motueka**, including **Brooklyn**, **Riwaka**, **Motueka Valley**, and the headwaters of the **Motupiko**.

**King** added the situation seemed “a little like Ground Hog day” for residents in these areas.

He urged residents to monitor information, watch the changing forecast, and make early plans to leave their properties if needed.

Don’t get caught in that position where you kind of trying to move out at the time when the water is coming up,” he cautioned.

Civil Defence Update

**Nelson-Tasman** Civil Defence issued an update at 11:50 AM, noting that the heaviest rain for **Golden Bay** was expected early this afternoon, easing to showers by Saturday. Forecasts now predict river levels higher than previously modeled.

Moderate flooding is expected at the **Aorere River** and **Takaka** rivers, potentially cutting off access to **Takaka** township later today.

MetService Urges Immediate Action

**MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane** stressed that people should “act now” given the red heavy rain warning. She emphasized the need for immediate action to protect people, animals, and property, urging residents to follow the advice of official authorities and emergency services.

This marks the second red warning issued by MetService this year and the 17th since the alert level was introduced in 2019.

Around 50mm of rain has already fallen today, with an additional 80 to 120mm anticipated. “Dangerous river conditions, flooding, slips, and dangerous road conditions are expected,” said **Makgabutlane**.

**MetService meteorologist Heather Keats** explained that “another active front, with warm, moist northerlies feeding this rain and its about to spread over the country”.

She added that the front will bring a wet and windy day as it tracks across the country from west to east, not clearing until tomorrow. A thunderstorm risk exists this afternoon and evening for already saturated areas.

Emergency Response

An eight-person specialist water rescue team has been deployed to **Nelson**. **Fire and Emergency NZ service delivery operations director Brendan Nally** stated the team was positioned early, anticipating road closures.

Our specialist team is on the ground ready to support local brigades if needed when the rain comes,” said **Nally**. He cautioned against driving through floodwater and urged respect for road closure signs.

It’s impossible to judge the depth of water so when people become stranded, they are in danger of drowning.”

A four-person wide area damage assessment team, part of FENZ’s urban search and rescue capability, has also been deployed.

Current Weather Warnings and Watches

• Heavy Rain Warning – Red: Tasman district (about and southeast of **Motueka** and north of **Lake Rotoroa**) – until 11pm Friday
• Heavy Rain Warning – Orange: Northland and Auckland including Great Barrier Island – until 10pm Friday; Bay of Plenty east of **Kawerau** and Gisborne/Tairāwhiti north of **Ruatoria** – from 6pm Friday to 6am Saturday; Taranaki Maunga – until 11pm Friday; Tasman District northwest of **Motueka** – until 9pm Friday; **Nelson** City District and Marlborough (northwest of the **Awatere** Valley) – until midnight Friday; Coromandel Peninsula, **Rotorua**, and Bay of Plenty (about and west of **Kawerau**) – from 11am Friday to 3am Saturday; Waikato – until midnight Friday
• Strong Wind Warning – Orange: Taranaki south of the Maunga – until 11pm Friday; Banks Peninsula – from 6pm Friday to 3am Saturday
• Heavy Rain Watch: **Waitomo**, **Taumarunui**, **Taupō**, and **Tongariro** National Park – from 2pm Friday to 2am Saturday; Taranaki north of **Opunake**, excluding the Maunga – until 11pm Friday
• Strong Wind Watch: Northland and Auckland – from 2pm to 9pm Friday; **Taihape** and **Whanganui** – from noon to midnight Friday; Tasman District – from noon to 9pm Friday; Coastal Otago – from 6pm to midnight Friday