Latest news with #MattKerr
Scoop
5 days ago
- Climate
- Scoop
Emergency Management Response Teams On Standby
With an Orange Heavy Rain Warning in place for Marlborough north west of the Awatere Valley, residents are urged to prepare for more rain tomorrow from 9am until 1am Saturday. MetService advises we can expect 80 to 100 mm of rain. Peak rates of 10 to 20 mm/h are expected Friday afternoon and evening and there is a moderate chance of upgrading to a Red Warning. Marlborough's Emergency Coordination Centre is ready to respond, should it be required. A planning and intelligence meeting was held this afternoon, Emergency Services Manager Matt Kerr said. 'The region's emergency management agencies are on standby and ready if needed tomorrow and on Saturday. We are closely monitoring the forecasts. Council's hydrologists will determine if rivers are likely to become a concern or not, and we will decide what level of response capability may be needed, from tomorrow. 'At this point in time Council hydrologists and rivers engineers are not expecting the Wairau River to get as high as two weeks ago. Based on the current forecast models the maximum expected is 3,000 cumecs at the SH1 bridge; it may be alot lower than that, which means it is well within the safety limit for the Spring Creek community. It's unlikely any precautionary evacuation will be advised.' 'With the ground already saturated, it won't take much rain to bring localised surface flooding again. People should take precautions - limit your travel, look out for flood water and slips and be aware that streams and rivers may rise rapidly. 'However groundwater levels in some parts of Marlborough are at an all-time high and we may see further localised flooding in parts of Rārangi and in Spring Creek, for example.' Marlborough Roads crews have continued works today to clear the large slip on Northbank Road. Scheduled opening times for Friday 11 July remain from 7.30am to 9am and 4.30pm to 5.30pm. On Saturday and Sunday an additional midday opening will be added providing openings at 7.30am to 9am, 12pm to 1pm and 4.30pm to 5.30pm. The openings will continue to be reviewed and if there is an opportunity to increase them safely, this will be done. Due to the hazardous nature of the slip, the heightened risk of continued rock fall and forecasted heavy rain we will continue regular monitoring on the slip. Should it be deemed unsafe the road will not open and notification sent. Further updates will be provided through Marlborough District Council's Facebook page, on its website and the Antenno alerting app. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 111. Go to the Floods and health page on the Health NZ/Te Whatu Ora website To keep up to date with the latest information and alerts sign up to Antenno. All you need to do is install the app and save the specific addresses of places you care about such as your home, work, rental property or school. Antenno will notify you when something relevant to your chosen place(s) arises. Sign up to Antenno
Scoop
5 days ago
- Climate
- Scoop
Marlborough Emergency Management Says ‘Be Prepared' For More Rain
With another spell of rain on the way on Friday, Marlborough residents are advised to 'be ready, be prepared' with the region's roads, infrastructure and some communities still impacted from recent weather. MetService has issued a Heavy Rain Watch for the period from 1pm Friday 11 July to 2am Saturday 12 July for Marlborough northwest of the Awatere Valley. The forecast is for periods of heavy rain with a moderate chance of the watch upgrading to a warning. Marlborough Emergency Management Group Manager Matt Kerr said there was a risk that some situations could be exacerbated in already fragile areas. 'We want to get advice out to our communities including Spring Creek, Rārangi, Northbank, Kenepuru Road and Port Underwood that readiness remains important. Although Friday evening's weather is predicted to move through quickly, we encourage people to take stock of their preparedness, remain in touch with friends and whanau and to have plans in place for safety and support.' 'People can prepare for heavy rain by clearing drains and gutters. Be aware that streams and rivers may rise rapidly, so avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously if you need to drive at all. The rain could cause further surface flooding, slips and difficult driving conditions,' Mr Kerr said. The weather has the potential to affect roads around the top of the south including State Highway 6 from Nelson to Blenheim, State Highway 1 between Picton and Seddon and State Highway 63 from Renwick to Kawatiri Junction. NZ Transport Agency say because the region has already suffered extensive heavy rain over the past few weeks, soils are saturated and extra rain brings a risk of more flooding, slips, and rockfalls. Flood waters can hide hidden dangers and water flows may be stronger than they appear – drivers are urged not to drive through flooded areas and to respect any road closures that may be in place. Further updates will be provided, primarily through Marlborough District Council's Facebook page and the Antenno alerting app. To keep up to date with the latest information and alerts sign up to Antenno here:
