It’s been a rough time for the top of the south and Tasman in particular as recent weather has taken a major toll on people, property and infrastructure.

We’re now in the recovery phase and while this is not expected to be a short or simple process, we are committed to providing the necessary support and resources to manage the aftermath.

Council staff and contractors, as well as the Emergency Management personnel across the region, have been working tirelessly since the initial heavy rain on Friday 27 June.

The damage has been extensive and has significantly affected residents and businesses who are now in the process of cleaning up and restoring their properties.

Our local roading network has also been seriously impacted by flooding and landslips, with at least 65 closures reported in the days after the initial rainfall and damage to seven bridges. Sections of state highways were also affected, cutting off the Nelson Tasman region and requiring long detours for some journeys.

As we continue to clear, assess and repair these sites, we ask that everyone exercise patience and care while travelling.

On Friday 27 June, most of our rain gauge sites recorded more than 100mm, with data collected in the 48 hours to Sunday 29 June showing more than 300mm falling in the Tākaka and Aorere Valleys of Golden Bay.

27 rain gauge sites across Tasman and Nelson recorded their highest June total rainfall on record. Two of these sites are the longest running in the Tasman region, at Riwaka at Moss Bush and Moutere at Kellings Road sites, where data starts in the early 1960s. The recent prolonged rainfall event saw many sites log record-breaking 48-hour duration rainfall totals.

Data from our river gauges in the lower Motueka River at both the Woodstock and Woodmans flow recorded a 1% AEP (Annual Exceedance Probability). In more colloquial terms, this is known as a 100-year-flood. The Woodstock recorder has been operating since 1969, and this is the largest flow that it has ever recorded, exceeding the previous largest in 1983.

A huge thank you to everyone who has been involved in the response so far, whether that has been at Civil Defence, Tasman District and Nelson City Councils, all emergency services, roading and water contractors, and volunteers - we've seen some awesome community spirit!

Pictured: Motueka Valley