Heavy Rain and State of Emergency in Westland

Heavy Rain and State of Emergency in Westland:

• Date: April 11, 2024
• Location: West Coast, New Zealand
• State of Emergency Declared: Westland has declared a state of emergency due to heavy rainfall.
• River Monitoring: Officials are closely monitoring river levels. As of now, there are no mandatory evacuations, and they believe the rivers can handle the deluge well.
• Road Closures: State Highway 6 between Hokitika and Haast is closed due to the weather conditions.
• Peak Times for Rivers: The Waiho River near Franz Josef is expected to peak around 2 am, followed by the Hokitika River around 10 am.
• Heaviest Rain: The most intense rainfall is anticipated to occur on Friday evening, with a red warning in place until Saturday morning.
• Rainfall Estimates:
  • Ranges: Approximately 500 to 700 mm of rain expected to accumulate.
  • Coast: About 100 to 200 mm of rain expected.
• Critical Period: The critical period is forecasted to be between 10 pm Friday and 6 am Saturday¹².

This heavy rain could lead to landslides, flooding, and rapidly rising rivers. Residents are advised to stay informed and take necessary precautions during this weather event.

References:

1. RNZ News: Westland declares state of emergency, Coast prepares for deluge
2. RNZ: West Coast preparing with next deluge of heavy rain expected to hit on Friday
3. MetService Severe Weather Outlook for New Zealand
4. ODT: Heaviest rain still to come for soaked Westland