Region is now in recovery mode.
We have now moved into recovery. Any updates will be posted here.
The information below is retained for reference.
Update Friday 4 July
The situation
We continue to monitor the wet weather coming into the region. The MetService had issued a Severe Weather Watch for today’s rain. The amount of rain expected would not normally trigger a Sevevre Watch status. However, in this case they are incorporating the implications of rain on saturated ground.
You can check Council’s rain gauges yourself on a hourly basis here
Our teams are out on the roads, and we continue to monitor the situation.
Due to the saturated ground, surface flooding and slips are expected and are making driving conditions difficult, be careful on the roads and only travel if it is necessary.
Where to get help
Motueka Emergency Assistance and Information Centre on Old Wharf Road is open from 9am-5pm with a range of agencies available to assist the community.
There are community meetings planned on Saturday, 12 -2pm at Riwaka Memorial Hall and 3-5pm at the Ngātīmoti Hall.
The Government has announced up to $100,000 is being made available to support flood-affected farmers and growers. Find out more here: https://www.beehive.govt.nz/.../support-flood-affected(external link)...
The Mayoral Relief Fund has been activated. Get more details here.
You can also contact MSD for additional financial support(external link).
Disposing of flood damaged materials
Remember, floodwater and silt can be contaminated, and can carry bugs that can cause gastrointestinal (vomiting and diarrhoea), skin and eye infections. We recommend you treat all surface water as contaminated unless you have been told otherwise.
If you have flood damaged materials, then this can be delivered to the transfer stations once it is safe to do so.
Make sure you keep any receipts of costs for insurance purposes (if there are charges)
Take photos of all your flood damage before you start the clean-up, remember to include a photo of the highwater mark
Please get in contact with your insurance company as soon as possible, to lodge your claim and get the claims process started
If your property is flood damaged, your insurer may arrange for a contractor to strip our damaged material to support drying. As part of that work the contractor will remove damaged building material.
Any damaged material as a result of the weather event can be taken to the Council Resource Recovery Centre for assessment to determine whether Council will cover the cost of disposal.
If you are not able to transport your material to a Resource Recovery Centre, then please call Council and we will look at getting a contractor to collect the material.
Please don’t put material on the roadside, as this makes it difficult and more expensive to manage.
Harbourmaster
The Harbourmaster, Coastguard and volunteers have been active clearing a significant amount of debris from the water and coastline. These include nets, apple bins and plastic waste.
However, it is likely that Navigational hazards remain in the area. The team will assess today’s weather and build a plan around remaining debris accordingly.
Please do not clear debris yourself as it could be contaminated and dangerous.
We will continue to keep you updated.
If your area is affected, please take the time to check on your neighbours and look out for one another and if you need help phone 1-1-1.
Other information
State of emergency extended
The state of Civil Emergency in the Nelson Tasman Region has been extended by a further seven days. Read the details here.(external link)
Community meetings
Two community meetings are being organised to update people in Riwaka and Ngatimoti on Saturday.
In Riwaka the meeting will be at the Riwaka Memorial Hall from 12.00pm-2.00pm at the Riwaka Memorial Hall, and in Ngatimoti the meeting will be from 3.00pm until 5.00pm at the Ngatimoti Hall.
These meetings will provide an opportunity for Nelson Tasman Civil Defence to give an update on the current situation and for people to speak directly to Tasman District Council, government agencies and support organisations.
Road closures
We are monitoring roads and any new closures will be updated on this map(external link).
Tuesday 8 July: Stafford Drive at the Ruby Bay Cliffs has reopened and the Route 5 eBus service has returned to normal.
Please drive with care at all times.
State Highway closures:
For latest updates visit the Waka Kotahi NZTA travel map(external link).
The State Highway 60 Bridge in Motueka
One of the questions we often get asked during events is “what is the water levels at the bridge on State Highway 60 in Motueka”. So, on Wednesday evening staff installed a temporary water level sensor, and we are making the data available to the public. The underside of bridge is roughly 6.7m and you can access the data here - Motueka SH60 Bridge(external link)..
Where to get help
The Government has announced up to $100,000 is being made available to support flood-affected farmers and growers. Find out more here.(external link)
The Mayoral Relief Fund has been activated. Click here for more information and to apply.
You can also contact MSD for additional financial support.
https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/products/a-z-benefits/civil-defence-payment.html(external link)
Ministry for Primary Industries has shared some really helpful information for our farming & agriculture communities. Read more here: https://shorturl.at/R3AmV(external link)
Clean up assistance
Are you needing help cleaning up or wanting to help others following the recent weather event?
The Student Volunteer Army Foundation are currently preparing to support a community-led response in the Nelson-Tasman region following the flooding events over the past weekend. If you would like to request help for your property or you would like to register as a volunteer - please visit https://www.sva.org.nz/nelsontasman25(external link) and fill out the form.
Landcare Trust is also coordinating a local response to support those affected by recent flooding in our Motueka, Moutere, and Waimea communities. If you need help (clearing homes, driveways, fencing, etc) or can offer time, tools, or skills, please fill out this short form: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Flood25(external link).
There is also a local Facebook group set up for volunteer support: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1QsXCH8eAe/(external link)
If you aren't local and want to help, then the best way is to donate to the Mayoral Relief Fund, which will help residents access funds to deal with issues in the immediate term. If you would like to donate to the Nelson-Tasman Mayoral Relief Fund, please deposit funds into the Tasman District Council bank account: 12-3193-0002048-00. Name: Tasman District Council. Please use the reference “Mayoral Relief Fund”. For individuals who want to apply for the fund, please email mayoralrelief@tasman.govt.nz.
Thank you to everyone who has offered to help!
Drinking water information
Update Monday 7 July - all conserve water notices have been lifted.
What's the go with drinking water across Tasman? For the majority, there are no issues with your drinking water and you don't need to boil or conserve it. However there are a few townships with boil water notices.
Tapawera is the only council water supply currently on a temporary boil water notice, plus there are permanent boil water notices in place for Dovedale, Eighty Eight Valley and Redwoods 1 and 2. Please note the Tapawera Boil water notice is likely to remain in place until 11 July.
We also recommend that anyone who has been affected by flooding and has a private bore as their water supply, boil their water for the time being – especially if you are in the Motueka area.
If you are not on one of these five council water supplies, or do not have a private bore, then you do not need to boil your water.
Useful links
Taumata Arowai: Drinking water following a flood | Taumata Arowai(external link)
Health NZ Te Whatu Ora (which includes other languages): Floods and health(external link)
* A rahui is in place across the whole region including Nelson coastlines. This will be in place for the next six days. The rahui prevents the gathering of seafood and kai in these areas as well as swimming and entering the water.
Weather event clean up
Tasman District Council is aware of damage to property and the extensive clean-up required in certain places, and has implemented the below process for disposal of flood damaged materials.
- Take photos of all your flood damage before you start the clean-up, remember to include a photo of the highwater mark
- Please get in contact with your insurance company as soon as possible, to lodge your claim and get the claims process started
- If your property is flood damaged, your insurer may arrange for a contractor to strip our damaged material to support drying. As part of that work the contractor will remove damaged building material.
- Any damaged material as a result of the weather event can be taken to the Council Resource Recovery Centre for assessment to determine whether Council will cover the cost of disposal.
- We’ll need to know your contact details, your insurance company (if applicable), where the material has come from and confirmation that it’s flood related waste. You can complete this short form in advance (pdf 43 KB). We may need to take photos of the waste.
- If you are not able to transport your material to a Resource Recovery Centre, then please call Council and we will look at getting a contractor to collect the material. Please don’t put material on the roadside, as this makes it difficult and more expensive to manage.
- Keep yourself safe when cleaning up –
- Stay out of badly damaged buildings.
- If your property has been flooded, turn off the power. Don’t turn it back on until it has been checked by an electrician.
- Avoid wading through flood water.
- Wear gloves, masks and protective gear where available.
- If you come into contact with flood water, wash your clothes, shoes and skin afterwards.
- Take extra care on the road.
- Do not try to drive flooded vehicles as their brakes and electrics may be faulty.
- Your insurance company will have clean up guidance that can support you.
You can get more information on cleaning up after the event here:
https://www.ifso.nz/pages/natural-disasters-after-the-event(external link)
MPI information and resources available here(external link)