Latest news with #AlecLouverdis
RNZ News
5 days ago
- Climate
- RNZ News
Nelson Tasman floods: Multiple reports of people trapped, power out as rain smashes the region
Many locals in Brooklyn are flocking to the evacuation hub as heavy rain hits the region. Photo: Mary Argue / RNZ Fire and Emergency is responding to multiple reports of people trapped by floodwaters in the Nelson Tasman region. Some people are stuck in their homes and others in their cars, in many places around Motueka, FENZ said. In Mārahau, two people were trapped by floodwater, Nelson Tasman Civil Defence group controller Alec Louverdis said. They were no in danger but they were facing a night in isolation due to the flooding, Louverdis said. He said the region was being smashed by rain and the situation had changed drastically in the past 40 minutes. The situation in the region is "absolutely hectic", he said. His message to residents was to stay out of any water and to not travel. In Riwaka, about 20 residents were spending the night at an evacuation hub. But the Riwaka Memorial Hall lost power about 4.30pm just as residents were beginning to arrive for the night. Brooklyn residents and neighbours Ellie Henderson and Nadine Fletcher are among those spending the night at the evacuation hub and said they made the right call. Water had been gradually rising, but is now a river from one side of her cottage to the other. "I wasn't worried at first, but when the rubbish bin floated away and various things began moving ... we decided to work together and move when the time was right," she said. "Suddenly, the time was right when the water rose really fast. "The rain started getting heavier, and it looked worse than it had ever been before, so it was worrying, but I'm not worried now, because we're in a safe place." Because she lives on her own, she said the thought of leaving after dark was a little scary. Henderson said her neighbour's car had water almost to the top of its wheels, but because hers was slightly higher, they were able to "make an escape". Fletcher said, a couple of weeks ago, the heavy rain was just puddling, but now it was "a lot higher, and flowing through the property". Meanwhile, large parts of the Tasman District - including all of Motueka and Golden Bay - lost power about 4.20pm. Lines company Network Tasman said it would try to restore electricity to Golden Bay on Friday evening, but with strong winds and road closures making it dangerous for crews, it would likely stay off overnight. Network Tasman couldn't confirm how many properties were affected, but said it would be in the thousands.
RNZ News
08-07-2025
- Climate
- RNZ News
'We told you' – Residents' warning before popular Nelson road closed after slip
Heavy May rains caused a slip onto Glider Road which has since prompted Nelson City Council to close the road indefinitely. Photo: Supplied/LDR A landslide has indefinitely closed a popular recreational road in Nelson just months after residents raised red flags. Glider Road in Marsden Valley had provided access to the top of the Barnicoat Ranges but heavy rain late in May caused a slip which prompted Nelson City Council to close it. The area around the road had been left bare following the harvesting of pines in the area from 2021. Preliminary investigations show that the land above and below the steep road was unstable. Alec Louverdis, the council's group manager infrastructure, in late June said the situation was "complex" and so the council had closed the road indefinitely. It was now commissioning a geotechnical report to get a better understanding of the challenges and potential way forward. The closure comes just four months after a newly-formed group of Marsden Valley residents publicly raised concerns about deforested hills in the valley increasing the risk of landslides. The reforestation of the area around Glider Road had been a specific priority for the group. Friends of Marsden Valley member Kathryn Richards had seen "significant damage and cracks opening" on the road since the May rains and thought the council made the "right call" closing it. However, she said there was an element of "we told you". "Having said that, trees that were only three years old in the ground - which they would have been, best case scenario - I don't know if they would have stopped this." Kathryn Richards (front left) and the Friends of Marsden Valley had warned that a slip around Glider Road was likely after pines had been harvested. Photo: LDR/Max Frethey Richards said the situation showed the "inevitable" consequences of clear-felling pine on steep slopes. "We've definitely seen an increase of slipping since the trees have been removed. It illustrates the point that, when it's in pine trees it might be fine and dandy, but you've got to think about, when they're taken away, what's going to happen, and we've now got to deal with that." Also a member of the Marsden Valley Trapping Group, Richards said the closure will add more than four hours to some of their trap lines. The closure has also put more walkers on the Involution trail, an advanced downhill mountain biking track, she said. "It'd be great if they could come to a safe solution, in the meantime, for recreational use, for bikes and walkers." Kevin Rooke, president of the Tasman Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club, said the Barnicoat Range was the "jewel in the crown" of regional gliding sites and had been used by gliders "nearly ever fine day" before it was closed, attracting gliders internationally. However, he added that the club had "seen the writing on the wall" after the road was repeatedly damaged after heavy rain and anticipated an eventual closure. The slip has cut off access for gliders to the Barnicoat Range - the "jewel in the crown" of regional gliding sites. Photo: Supplied/Peter Allison The club was negotiating with the council in the hopes of reinstating glider access in some way before the national paragliding championship is hosted in Nelson in January. "We do need Barnicoat access, if possible. We are looking at a few options. Nelson City Council have been pretty helpful in a lot of ways." Louverdis said a decision about the future of the Glider Road would not be made until the council understood the issues, potential works, and associated costs. Planting around Glider Road, as part of the council's transition away from clear-fell pine forestry, is still scheduled to go ahead this winter. Louverdis added that the council is actively engaged with the Friends of Marsden Valley and will continue working alongside the group to support the future of the area. On Thursday, Nelson City Council also agreed to a new track linking Involution to the Jenkins Hill summit. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Scoop
06-07-2025
- Climate
- Scoop
Flood Protection Project Targets Vulnerable Area Of Nelson
A multi-million dollar project that will increase the flood carrying capacity of the Maitai River between Hanby Park and Clouston Terrace will get underway this summer. The most significant flood resilience project undertaken by Council since the Saxton Creek Upgrade, the work targets an area that saw some of the worst flooding during the August 2022 weather event. This area of the Maitai is particularly vulnerable to flooding, with the existing stopbank at Clouston Terrace currently only capable of withstanding a 1:50 year flood event. In August 2022, flooding affected properties between Nile Street, Mill Street and the stopbank. 'I have been involved with Civil Defence responses for 15 years. The flooding in this area in 2022 was some of the worst I have ever seen,' says Group Manager Infrastructure Alec Louverdis. This project will reduce the risk of future flooding in the area in five ways, including: New floodwalls Upgrading the quality of existing stopbanks Increasing the capacity of the river channel On Tuesday 24 June, Council held a community meeting with affected residents to present the project plan for the Maitai between Hanby and Clouston. 'This is exciting for us from a technical point of view, but also for the solutions developed by our specialist engineering consultants Tonkin & Taylor,' says Alec. 'We were encouraged by the positive and supportive response from residents and we will keep in close contact throughout the work. All were keen for the work to start as soon as possible.' Advertisement - scroll to continue reading Tonkin & Taylor looked out as far as 2130 and modelled solutions for a range of present day and future extreme weather scenarios. Their main focus was to maintain recreational access and the integrity of the river. 'Some solutions looked at potential property purchases but Tonkin and Taylor's innovative and practical design allows us to achieve the required outcomes without going down this avenue. The decision to take land from Hanby Park instead was a practical and compassionate solution and we're really happy with the outcome.' The summary of the proposed work includes: Lowering the level of the bank under the east bridge span creating more space under the bridge for pedestrians and cyclists. A 2m flood wall alongside the new pathway adjacent to Clouston Terrace, that will extend to chest height above the road carriageway. 'We are raising Clouston Terrace,' says Alec. 'Clouston Terrace, which runs alongside this section of the river may be raised by over a metre, as a result we will need to reconfigure several property accessways. We will be working with residents for the best solution for each property.' Once the project is complete, Council will work closely with residents to discuss options for enhancing the area, including opportunities for planting and artistic detailing of the concrete wall. These finishing touches are an important way to reflect the character of the neighbourhood and involve the community in shaping the final look and feel of the space. The project team recognise the importance of protecting the natural ecology both in and around the river. A lizard survey found the protected northern grass skink inhabits the Maitai River banks within the works area. Council has sought a Wildlife Act Authority permit from Department of Conservation to salvage the lizards and relocate them to the pest-free Brook Waimārama Sanctuary. Along with the local lizards, the Maitai is considered as a 'high' value habitat with a diverse native fish community. In-river construction will be timed to avoid the spawning season for bullies and trout, and erosion and sediment control measures will be in place to protect water quality and instream habitat. Where works in the water cannot be avoided, ecologists will capture and relocate fish away from the construction zone. Once completed the floodways will provide additional habitat for fish and planting will provide shade for fresh water species. For the local birds, works will be undertaken outside of bird breeding season where possible and bird nests will be checked prior to any removal of vegetation. Notes: Four individual projects make up the wider Maitai Flood Resilience project. This overall project includes stormwater intake upgrade on Cleveland Terrace, river flood improvements from Hanby Park to Clouston Terrace, a flood wall upgrade and extension on Nile Street and at stormwater improvements at Queens Gardens for a total budget of $9 million, for which we are receiving $5.4 million from Central Government through the Regional Infrastructure Fund. This work will be carried out over the next two financial years and completed by July 2027.
RNZ News
03-07-2025
- Climate
- RNZ News
Rainfall expected to peak in Tasman
weather civil defence 25 minutes ago The worst of the rainfall is expected to hit around now in the sodden Tasman region, with road closures and evacuations already underway. Civil Defence and Emergency Management group controller Alec Louverdis spoke to Charlotte Cook.
Scoop
03-07-2025
- Climate
- Scoop
State Of Emergency Extended In Nelson Tasman
The state of Civil Emergency in the Nelson Tasman Region has been extended by a further seven days. The decision to extend the emergency status has been made due to the weather forecast of further heavy rain in the next 24 to 36 hours. It will enable a rapid response from partnering agencies should it be required. Civil Defence Emergency Controller Alec Louverdis says the New Zealand Defence Force has been deployed in the area and ready to respond when needed. He says an Air Force NH90 helicopter is also on standby to assist if required. Alec Louverdis says support is also being provided by two specialist NZRT2 - Nelson Tasman Emergency Response Teams and further emergency operations staff have been drafted in from around the country to assist. 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. Meanwhile, generosity from all around the country has seen donations to the Nelson-Tasman Mayoral Relief Fund grow to close to $20,000, which will be added to the $100,000 pledged by the Government. To make a donation people can deposit funds into the Tasman District Council bank account: Account number: 12-3193-0002048-00 Account name: Tasman District Council Please use the reference 'Mayoral Relief Fund', or 'MRF' Alternatively, people can donate at a Tasman District Council office.
