Severe Weather Impacts New Zealand: ‍Heavy ⁢Rain and Strong Winds Expected

Published: 2026/02/14 21:02:16

New Zealand ⁢is bracing for a period of severe weather, ⁣with heavy rain and damaging winds forecast to impact ⁣several ‍regions across the North and South Islands. metservice has ⁢issued multiple warnings,advising ⁣residents to prepare for potentially perilous conditions through Monday evening.

Heavy Rain Warnings in Effect

Orange ⁣heavy rain warnings are currently in place for a number of areas. Here’s a breakdown of the affected⁣ regions and expected rainfall:

• Gisborne/Tairāwhiti (south of Poverty Bay) and Hawke’s Bay (east of Wairoa): 100-150mm of‍ rain expected from‍ 6am Sunday to 5am Monday, with peak intensities of 15-25mm per ⁢hour on Sunday afternoon. There is a moderate chance of⁣ this⁢ warning being upgraded to red.
• Hawke’s Bay (south of Waipukurau, ⁤including the Ruahine Range and ‍eastern hills): 100-140mm of ⁣rain ⁢expected from noon Sunday to 9am Monday, with intense bursts⁢ of 20-30mm per‍ hour, particularly overnight.
• Whanganui and ⁤Manawatū (inland areas north of Marton,⁢ including Taihape): 100-150mm of rain forecast from 6pm Sunday to 2pm⁤ Monday, with peak rates of 10-20mm per hour.
• Wairarapa,the Tararua District,and the Tararua Range: ⁤A prolonged warning⁤ is in effect from 2pm Sunday to 7pm Monday,with ⁤120-160mm of rain expected over the eastern hills and Tararua Range,and 50-80mm across the rest of Wairarapa.Peak intensities of 20-25mm per hour are possible in elevated areas.

MetService warns that these conditions⁢ could lead to rapidly rising streams ⁣and rivers, surface flooding, slips, and⁢ hazardous driving conditions.

Damaging Winds Expected

Along with heavy rain,severe gales are⁤ forecast for several regions:

• Wairarapa ⁣and the Tararua District: Orange strong wind warning from 6pm Sunday to 9am Monday,with gusts‍ reaching 120km/h in exposed places.
• Wellington⁣ and⁤ eastern Marlborough (north of Clarence): Severe ⁣south to southwesterly winds forecast ⁢from 6pm Sunday to 3pm Monday, with damaging gusts of up to 130km/h in exposed areas.
• Gisborne/Tairāwhiti (south of Poverty Bay) ‍and Hawke’s Bay: severe west to southwesterly winds from 5pm Sunday to 7am Monday, with coastal gusts reaching 130km/h. There‍ is a ⁤moderate chance of this warning being upgraded to red.

These strong winds pose ⁤a risk of downed trees and powerlines, and could⁢ make⁢ travel particularly hazardous for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.

emergency Response⁤ and ⁣Recovery Efforts

The Ōtorohanga district Council has activated an emergency ⁢relief fund to support those affected by recent storms ‍ . Mayor ⁢Rodney Dow emphasized the fund’s immediate focus is on helping families, ⁣small businesses, community ⁢groups, and marae facing hardship.He noted the impact on local schools, ‍with flooding affecting Ōtorohanga Primary School.

Local states of ⁤emergency remain in place in the ⁣Waipā District and Ōtorohanga District following widespread flooding in⁢ Waikato. Tragically,one man died in floodwaters near⁤ SH39 on Friday .

Emergency⁢ Management⁢ Minister Mark Mitchell ⁣has acknowledged the ongoing cycle of response and recovery⁣ in New Zealand, noting that‍ 25 local states ⁤of emergency have been declared in the past two years. Damage to infrastructure is also being reported,⁤ with the Te Tahi Water Treatment ⁤Plant in Waipā substantially impacted, leading to water conservation requests from residents.

Key Takeaways

• Multiple ⁤orange heavy⁢ rain and ⁣strong wind warnings are in effect for‍ various regions‍ across New Zealand.
• Significant rainfall is expected, with potential for⁣ flooding, slips, and hazardous driving conditions.
• Damaging winds could bring down trees and⁢ powerlines, impacting travel.
• Emergency ⁢relief efforts ⁣are underway in affected areas.

Residents in impacted areas are ⁢urged to stay informed, follow ⁤advice from authorities, and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.⁣ Stay updated⁢ on the latest warnings and forecasts from MetService.