Source: Environment Canterbury Regional Council
Canterbury Civil Defence and Emergency Management (CDEM) Group has activated the Emergency Coordination Centre, in response to the current severe weather event across Canterbury.
Group Controller for Canterbury CDEM Sean Poff says they are working with iwi, territorial authorities, emergency services and partner agencies to assess and respond to the event.
“We are closely monitoring the weather forecast – with consistent rain and strong winds in different parts of the region, we are expecting the peak of the event to take place overnight tonight and into tomorrow,” he says.
“Several Council Emergency Operation Centres have been activated throughout the region, others on stand-by ready to activate. All agencies are monitoring the situation and liaising on potential responses needed.”
Weather warning remains
A strong orange wind warning and heavy orange rain warning remain in place across the region.
“Strong winds are being experienced across the region causing a number of power outages. As at 2.30pm today, around 2,000 properties in Canterbury are without power,” Poff says.
“We are expecting continued widespread power outages as the wind causes trees and vegetation to take out electricity distribution lines. We expect these to generally be restored within 6-12 hours in daylight, but you may need to be prepared for power outages to last longer.”
The wind warning is set to continue until 9am Tuesday 19 July and the rain warning along the main divide is currently forecast to last until 1pm Tuesday 19 July.
“While the wind and rain may cease tomorrow, we’re expecting the effects of this weather event to impact our communities for much longer than that,” Poff says.
Be prepared, be safe
Canterbury CDEM is urging the public to take care and if safe to do so, prepare properties for the weather overnight:
- If safe to do so, check around the house and make sure that your roof and guttering is secure.
- Bring inside or tie down anything that can be broken or picked up by strong winds.
- Bring pets indoors. They can get unsettled by storms and it is more comforting and safer for them to be with you.
- Avoid driving if you can or drive cautiously. Remember, to never drive through floodwater.
- If you live somewhere prone to flooding, check your emergency plan is up to date.
- Prepare for possible power outages. Fire and Emergency New Zealand advises taking care when using alternative means of cooking, heating and lighting during power outages, as these often bring an increased risk of fire. Never use outdoor appliances like BBQs and patio heaters indoors.
- Check on your neighbours and anyone who might need your help.
- Keep looped in by checking our Canterbury CDEM channels, your local council channels or listening to the radio.
- If you live in a flood prone area, be prepared to evacuate.
- If there is an immediate risk to life or property contact emergency services by calling 111.
If you’re in a rural area:
- Move livestock to paddocks that allow them to move away from floodwaters, are not at risk from landslides and are not close to power lines.
- Remove any debris or loose items from around your property. Branches can become missiles in high winds.
- Irrigators should already be pointed into the wind and tied down. For more information view the following FMG Irrigator Advice Guide.
- Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) is advising anyone in a rural area who has lit a fire in the last month should check the site to make sure the fire will not reignite in the stormy conditions.
Travelling
Waka Kotahi is urging everyone travelling across the Canterbury and Otago regions to take extra care on the roads as strong winds continue to batter the region, with conditions likely to be particularly treacherous in some areas overnight.
Police are also urging motorists to drive with extreme caution, particularly in areas where there is high wind or surface flooding, as there could be hidden hazards.
- Always make sure you drive to the conditions.
- Use your headlights when there is poor visibility and watch your speed – you may need to travel at a speed lower than the speed limit to stay safe.
- If you can delay travel, we would advise you do so until the weather event has passed.
Why is this happening
“These types of weather events can be expected at this time of year, but this one remains significant due to the amount of spillover east of the divide. In short, this means it is unusual for these types of weather events to reach so far east from the tops of the Southern Alps,” Poff says.
Who is involved
This is a multi-agency response, involving the region’s district councils, Environment Canterbury, Ngāi Tahu, Fire and Emergency NZ, Police, St John, and Manatū Hauora/Health NZ, and New Zealand Defence Force.
Rain and river levels
Rain has been falling steadily on the divide with moderate spillover into the upper catchments of alpine and foothill rivers. The heaviest rainfall has taken place in Aoraki/Mt Cook Village – more than 150mm had fallen at 11am this morning.
No significant issues have been encountered so far but the rivers will be monitored closely by Environment Canterbury overnight tonight when the bulk of the forecast rainfall is expected to fall.
Field crews are out across south and central Canterbury as needed and others may be deployed as other rivers rise. Tomorrow may be a busier day for staff in the field.
“Environment Canterbury is encouraging those with property adjacent to rivers that may be affected to closely monitor their own situation, and move stock away from flood prone areas,” Poff says.
“If you live in an area that’s prone to flooding, we urge you to be prepared to evacuate. It’s best to have your grab bag ready and not have to use it, than need it but not have it ready!” he says.
For the latest flood warnings, see www.ecan.govt.nz/flood-warning/
Staying to up date
For the most up-to-date information on:
Listen to the radio and/or TV for updates or look out for information on the Canterbury Civil Defence social media pages
