Heavy rain forecast for Hawke’s Bay and Tararua

Hastings has wet weather today, ahead of warnings for heavier rain south of Cape Kidnappers to Tararua and Wairarapa over the next 30 hours.

Heavy rain watches and warnings have been issued for Hawke’s Bay and Tararua after a morning deluge, with MetService forecasting more today.

A heavy rain watch notice was issued for an area from Cape Kidnappers into Central Hawke’s Bay. At 5.45pm Monday a heavy rain warning for Tararua was issued from 6pm through to midnight Tuesday.

The heavy rain warning advised that rainfall in South Wairarapa is expected to spread northwards during the afternoon, with 80-120mm set to fall in some areas, and 150-250mm about the Tararua range and coastal hills.

Flash flooding was reported in Wellington and Hutt Valley Sunday and earlier yesterday.

The ranges west of Dannevirke, in the Tararua district, for which a warning of heavy rain is in place for the 30 hours from 6pm Monday to midnight Tuesday. The rain could total up to 150m in the Tararua Range.

Rainfall of 10-13mm was recorded in the Napier-Hastings area, where conditions were clearing at about midday, when rain was falling in parts of the Tararua district, a MetService meteorologist said.

A Tararua District Council spokesman said the heaviest rain was predicted at night. We could see heavy, localised rainfall anywhere across the district, so its important people stay prepared, especially in areas that have experienced flooding before.

“We’re sharing this information to help you be alert and prepared, just in case. We could see heavy, localised rainfall anywhere across the district.

“We’ve activated our Incident Management Team, which means we’re closely monitoring conditions and are ready to respond if needed. Our roading teams are out checking and clearing drains.

“While we may have come through recent events relatively lightly, the next one could be very different, so, we’re asking people to stay alert and prepared, as it only takes one event to cause disruption.”