Heavy Rain Warning Issued for Marlborough District

Strategic Insights -

Residents of Marlborough north west of the Awatere Valley are bracing for significant rainfall, with an Orange Heavy Rain Warning in place from 9am tomorrow until 1am Saturday. MetService forecasts 80 to 100 mm of rain, with peak rates of 10 to 20 mm/h expected in the afternoon and evening. The region's emergency management agencies are on standby, with a planning and intelligence meeting held today by Emergency Services Manager Matt Kerr. Despite concerns about river levels, Council hydrologists do not expect the Wairau River to reach the same heights as two weeks ago, with a maximum expected flow of 3,000 cumecs at the SH1 bridge.

Key Takeaways:

  • An Orange Heavy Rain Warning is in effect for Marlborough north west of the Awatere Valley from 9am tomorrow until 1am Saturday.
  • MetService forecasts 80 to 100 mm of rain, with peak rates of 10 to 20 mm/h expected in the afternoon and evening.
  • Peak river flows of 3,000 cumecs are expected at the SH1 bridge, with groundwater levels already at an all-time high.
  • Residents are advised to limit travel, look out for flooding, slips, and rapidly rising streams and rivers.
  • Localised surface flooding is expected, with parts of Rarangi and Spring Creek potentially experiencing further flooding.
  • Marlborough Roads crews have made progress on clearing a large slip on Northbank Road, with scheduled opening times for Friday 11 July remaining as previously stated.
  • The council will continue to monitor the slip and provide updates through social media and the Antenno alerting app.

Statistics:

  • 80 to 100 mm of rain expected from 9am tomorrow until 1am Saturday (MetService forecast).
  • 10 to 20 mm/h expected peak rates of rain in afternoon and evening (MetService forecast).
  • 3,000 cumecs expected maximum flow at the SH1 bridge (Council hydrologists' estimate).
  • Groundwater levels at an all-time high in parts of Marlborough (Council hydrologists' observation).
  • Scheduled opening times for Northbank Road: 7:30am to 9am and 4:30pm to 5:30pm on Friday 11 July; 7:30am to 9am, 12pm to 1pm, and 4:30pm to 5:30pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Sources:

  • Marlborough District Council press release.
  • MetService forecast.
  • Emergency Services Manager Matt Kerr, quote on planning and intelligence meeting.
  • Council hydrologists' estimate on river flow.