February 10 2022
A state of emergency has been declared in Buller and people are being forced to evacuate after a deluge of rain on the already soaked West Coast.
A state of emergency has been declared in Buller and people are being forced to evacuate after a deluge of rain on the already soaked West Coast.
Some houses have had water through them as Westport experiences its wettest February in 78 years.
The heavy rain overnight arrived as the trough weather system was set to move northwards across the South Island before weakening over central New Zealand today, MetService said.
At 6pm, Controller Sean Judd said additional streets need to evacuate immediately as rainfall is set to peak in the coming hours.
"We expect it to peak in the next few hours. We do not anticipate this to be a significant issue – we are constantly monitoring the levels. However, as a result of this additional information, we have decided to add to the mandatory evacuation order."
As of 9pm there are 103 people in Westport Evacuation centres, while only eight people have been forced to evacuate in Waimangaroa.
A West Coast Emergency Management spokesperson said the number of houses forced to evacuate will be available tomorrow. Just before 9pm, Buller Emergency Management said they are monitoring the river levels.
"There is a little time left before we are out of the woods with the river potentially peaking at 10pm. Currently river levels in Westport are dropping."
"The modelling suggests that low laying areas of Westport are at serious risk of flooding and we must put people's safety first. We put a mandatory evacuation order in place for these at-risk areas in Westport to ensure residents' safety.
"If your house is within the evacuation zone you must go to higher ground and seek alternative accommodation such as staying with family or friends outside of the evacuation zones."
If residents cannot stay with family or friends, evacuation centres are open at South School and Carter's Beach Top 10.
Buller Emergency Management controller Bob Dickson gave an update at 4.30pm via a live video post.
"It's been a very, very challenging day for everyone in the Buller district," he said.
"We've had rivers flooded, we've had roads closed, we've had some houses with water through them, we've had mandatory and voluntary evacuations under way, and I've got to say that people have responded magnificently."
Although there has been "tremendous support" from police, Fenz, and other agencies including LandSar, it's been a tiring effort, Dickson said, and a night-shift team takes over soon.
But the weather is looking calmer, he said, despite the odd heavy shower coming through.
The Buller River is also still very high at around 11.4m but they are expecting to see it start to recede.
"But there is no place now for complacency," he urged.
The Jones Creek Bridge, 22km north of Westport looking towards Granity from Birchfield on Thursday morning. Photo / Isabella Cain
The coast road is open although both gorges are closed, and won't be assessed until later tomorrow morning. There are also reports of surface flooding and slips.
"So, there's still some significant challenges ahead of us," Dickson said.
He acknowledged evacuations are stressful and difficult for residents but "unfortunately that is the new reality we are living in and adaptation is the key".
"Be prepared. There is more change ahead of us, potentially over the coming weekend.
"You must take steps to look after yourself, your neighbours, your friends and pets."
An evacuation centre has been set up at Sergeants Hill Hall, South School Hall, Waimangaro Hall and Carters Beach Motor Camp.
Residents are urged to follow the evacuation order to keep safe, they said.
Niwa has advised the Buller River is running to 11.4m at Te Kuha.
Westport at about 8am on Thursday morning. Photo / Samantha Anderson
Buller mayor Jamie Cleine said significant rain was expected to continue until midday or so in the area.
"There are a lot of difficulties getting around the district because of road closures.
"The river at the moment is absolutely raging, way higher than it was last week, up to about 11 metres and rising," he said.
West Coast DHB staff were preparing to evacuate Buller Health and will provide further updates as details are confirmed.
Buller Medical remains open for urgent care. If you live north of Westport, staff are in Karamea and Ngakawau. And if you are in Reefton, Reefton Health is open.
Westport on Thursday morning after heavy rain overnight. Photo / Scott Pickering
Heavy rainfall has affected most of the district, with surface flooding and slips on all access routes into Westport.
People travelling between Christchurch and Nelson will need to detour via Blenheim.
Multiple sections of State Highway 6 have been reduced to a single lane between Blenheim and Nelson from storm damage over the weekend.
And the Department of Conservation has announced the partial closure of the Heaphy Track after last week's rain is expected to last for several months.
Three bridges have been extensively damaged or destroyed between the Heaphy Hut and James Mackay Hut.
"We know that this is extremely disappointing for many trampers and mountain bikers who had plans to do the Heaphy Track in coming months," says DoC's Buller operations manager Suvi Van Smit.
"However, with the Heaphy River, Gunner River and Pitt Creek bridges all out of action, there is no safe way to get from Heaphy Hut to James Mackay Hut. We have had to make this decision to extend the closure with our customers' safety in mind."
A bridge on the Heaphy Track damaged by rain. Photo / Supplied
However, there is little or no track damage between Brown Hut and James Mackay Hut.
"From February 13 it will be possible to do a return walk from the Golden Bay end of the track (Brown Hut) as far as James Mackay Hut allowing walkers to stay at the huts and campsites within this section, by booking a two, three or four-day return trip."
