Marlborough hit by its largest-ever recorded flood, New Zealand
New Zealand's Marlborough, the country's largest wine-growing region, was hit by its worst flood on record on July 17, 2021.
Marlborough District Council deputy mayor Nadine Taylor said in a statement that 900 people from 500 properties across Marlborough had to be evacuated.
"Our stop bank network held up very well considering this is our largest-ever recorded flood – a far bigger event than the previous biggest in 1983," she said.
"The Council has invested a lot in river flood protection works since 1983 – this was a test of the quality of that work. We kept everyone safe and that was our number one priority."
Fire crews from Picton and Rarangi rescued 5 people from two vehicles caught in floodwaters at Taumarina, where rising waters shut down numerous roads.
The bridge over the Wairau River, between Picton and Spring Creek, was closed at 15:30 LT due to very high waters nearing the bridge's base.
The flow of the Wairau river at 20:10 LT on July 17, 2021. Credit: Marlborough District Council
New Zealand's MetService has issued Red Warning for Heavy Rain in northern Westland and Buller from 21:00 LT on Thursday, July 15 until early Saturday, July 17.
This is only the third Red Warning issued by MetService since the color-coded warning system was introduced in 2019. The most recent was for the heavy rain that caused significant flooding in Canterbury at the end of May this year for which a regional state of emergency was declared.
Red Warnings are reserved for the most impactful weather events and are only issued after close consultation with the relevant regional authorities including Council and Civil Defence Emergency Management teams.
Sideways rain forecast
Along with the heavy rain we are also forecasting strong winds from the northwest in the next couple days.
Umbrellas wont stand a chance in Wellington where the Strong Wind Warning contains gusts of 140kmph in exposed places. ^Lewis pic.twitter.com/0Vq7eSnb6M
— MetService (@MetService) July 15, 2021
When it rains, it pours.
Not only is torrential rain on Mother Nature’s menu, but howling winds are too
On Saturday, they’ll sweep across the North Island.
Potential impacts: downed trees & powerlines, damage to some structures, and difficult driving conditions. pic.twitter.com/F0Z5kaKBv7
— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) July 15, 2021
Severe Weather Outlook
Severe Weather Warnings and Watches have already been issued for some places that will be impacted by the significant heavy rain and gales this week. Additional regions may be added in the coming days.
Stay up to date at https://t.co/qHyE5zhh6X
pic.twitter.com/MtoTYmEGJ1— MetService (@MetService) July 15, 2021
‼️Nearly half a metre of rain is forecast high in the Southern Alps over the next 48 hours
On Friday:
Areas of flooding and slips are likely
Rapidly rising rivers in the West Coast, inland Canterbury, and Tasman District
Don't drive through flood waters! pic.twitter.com/iLkcK7HaPj
— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) July 14, 2021
Featured image credit: Keelan Walker
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