First responders remaining ready as rain returns tomorrow

Civil Defence and emergency responders are remaining vigilant as another rain warning was issued for a saturated Marlborough over Thursday.

MetService has another Orange Heavy Rain Warning for a 15-hour period from 6am to 9pm Thursday July 3 for Marlborough north of the Wairau River, as well as Tasman and Nelson Districts about and southeast of Motueka, with a low chance of being upgraded to a Red Warning.

However, a large slip on Northbank Road, north of Blenheim, which happened after the rain stopped showed Marlborough’s roads and communities are still vulnerable after the recent weather event.

Marlborough Emergency Management Group Manager and duty controller Matt Kerr said the slip was a timely reminder for residents to remain vigilant and prepared following the recent weather event.

“We still have a state of local emergency declared in Marlborough, land is saturated and, in some areas, unstable so we may still see slips causing consequences for our communities.

“Stormwater is likely to be the main concern for Council along with compounding impacts to roading and the stability of land across the wider Marlborough region.

“Teams are working as quickly as they can to ensure everything that can be done is being done to prepare for more rain on Thursday.

“Marlborough Emergency Management and Council’s focus is on readiness and response for the rest of the week while still making plans for recovery”.

Residents are expected 80 to 110 mm of rain about the Sounds and ranges, and 50 to 80 mm elsewhere, but Marlborough District Council’s hydrologist predictions say this week’s rain is not likely to cause concern for stopbanks protecting Spring Creek or Renwick’s Lower Terrace.

Council’s Rivers team has been reviewing impacts on the region’s stopbank network including known areas of concern at Spring Creek and at the confluence of the Wairau/Waihopai Rivers.

“It is incredibly important that anyone in the rural sector and contractors undertaking emergency works or flood repairs, does so in a safe manner”, added Matt.

“Marlborough Emergency Management remains activated for a response to the event should it be required – we are prepared.

“People can do the same by checking and clearing drainage and gutters around their properties and check in on their neighbours to make sure they are ok and doing the same, but please be safe at the same time”.

The public are still advised not to go near floodwaters due to risk of contamination and to boil their water if they are concerned.

For preparedness advice go to: https://getready.govt.nz/emergency/floodsIf you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 111.