By RNZ Online
In a gloomy start to the week, several severe weather warnings have been issued, with high winds and heavy rain expected from late Monday into early Wednesday.
MetService said there was a front moving east across the country that was expected to bring heavy rain and strong north-to-northeast winds.
Orange rain warnings were in place for the Tasman region from Motueka westwards, Tasman east and south of Motueka, Nelson and Marlborough west of Havelock and north of the Wairau River, Taranaki Maunga (Mt Taranaki) and the ranges of the Westland District.
The warning for Tasman from Motueka westwards would be in place from 2am to 6pm on Tuesday, July 29 and had a moderate chance of being upgraded to a red warning.
People in the region were warned to expect between 130mm and 150mm of rain in a strong northerly flow. Rainfall intensities could reach 15-20mm per hour, especially from mid-morning until early afternoon, MetService said.
Tasman east and south of Motueka, Nelson and Marlborough west of Havelock and north of the Wairau River would be under an orange warning from 5am on Tuesday until 9pm, again with a moderate chance of becoming red.
There, 100-130 mm of rain in a strong northerly flow was expected, with rainfall intensities of 15mm per hour possible, especially during the afternoon.
The Nelson-Tasman region has already been gutted by two major floods since late last month and is in an official recovery period.
Residents were advised to clear their drains and gutters to prepare for heavy rain, and to avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously, MetService said.
New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) warned drivers to keep a close eye on the status of regional state highways at the top of the South Island on Tuesday, as a result of the warnings and watches.
“Because the region’s roads have already suffered extensive heavy rain and weather damage over the past month, more bad weather increases the risk of further disruption,” it said.
“There is the possibility for flooding, slips and rockfalls, and a chance of roads being closed at short notice.”
If roads were closed due to the weather, drivers must obey them. Closures were only put in place to keep the public safe and would be re-opened as soon as it was safe to do so, NZTA said.
“Floodwaters can also hide hidden dangers and water flows may be stronger than they appear. Drivers are urged not to drive through flooded areas, as bow waves from vehicles can increase damage to properties.”
Taranaki Maunga was under an orange warning from 7am Tuesday to 1am Wednesday, while the ranges of Westland District were under the same from 1am-5pm Tuesday.
Both warnings had a minimal chance of upgrading to red.
Heavy rain watches would also be in place for many regions between Monday and Tuesday and, in some cases, through to Wednesday.
Watches for the Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty and an area about and within 15km east of the divide from Arthurs Pass to the Dart River had a high chance of being upgraded to a warning, while those for the Central North Island mountains, Northland and Auckland, including Aotea Great Barrier Island, all had a moderate chance of being upgraded.
Along with their rain watches, Northland, Auckland and Great Barrier Island would be under a strong wind watch from Monday evening, with both watches given a moderate chance of being upgraded to warnings.
Strong wind watches would also be in place for the Coromandel Peninsula, eastern Waikato and Bay of Plenty for most of Tuesday, and about and south of the mountains and high country from Taranaki to the Central Plateau from late Monday evening through to Tuesday evening.
The Coromandel Peninsula, eastern Waikato and the Bay of Plenty had a moderate chance of being upgraded to a warning, while the areas about and south of the mountains and high country from Taranaki to the Central Plateau had a high chance of upgrading, MetService said.
– RNZ