Wednesday 26 Jul, 8.30am
Once again July has proven to be a wet and wild month in the Waimakariri. More than 150mm of rain fell in some areas between Saturday night and Monday morning.
Council staff and Civil Defence set up an Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) on Saturday to deal with the level of service requests and to monitor roads and river levels.
Mayor Dan Gordon says he would like to thank council staff, contractors and our emergency services personnel who worked tirelessly assisting residents with flooding and drainage issues and keeping abreast of the changing situation.
“Thank you also to the residents of Tuahiwi who self-evacuated at the request of Civil Defence when there were concerns the Cam River may breach its banks on Sunday night.
"A special mention also to the Civil Defence Volunteers teams who supported the welfare centre at Riverside Church in Kaiapoi overnight on Sunday,” Mayor Gordon says.
Now that the weather warning has been lifted the focus turns to the clean-up. Council staff will endeavour to make their way through the large number of service calls - currently there are 305 that require follow up.
These calls are triaged, and the most serious ones are dealt with first. Events like this can months to work through the volume of requests.
Tuesday 25 Jul, 8.30am
We are working to reopen roads and remove surface flooding warnings. You can find these on our live map.
Monday 24 July, 8.30am
Rain continued overnight, however Emergency Services reported that it was mostly quiet in terms of call outs. The rain is set to ease steadily throughout the day and rivers are already beginning to recede.
We had a total of eight groups through the Kaiapoi Civil Defence Centre, but no groups needed to stay overnight. The Civil Defence Centre at The Riverside Church, Kaiapoi is now closed.
Total rainfall amounts:
Site | Total Rainfall | Return Period |
Kaiapoi | 118.4mm | 27 years, 4 months |
Woodend | 151.8mm | 72 years, 6 months |
Rangiora | 122.4mm | 18 years, 11 months |
Mandeville | 105mm | 15 years |
Summerhill | 110mm | 8 years 1 month |
Oxford | 103.8mm | 7 years, 4 months |
Tuahiwi residents who self-evacuated:
For residents who self-evacuated, it is now safe to return home.
Please be aware that surface and road flooding is still widespread so please drive to the conditions and if it's flooded, forget it!
If you encounter flood water, treat it as if it’s contaminated, don’t play in it, don’t let your kids play in it, and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards if you do come into contact.
Given the amount of rainfall we’ve experienced it will take time to drain away. If you have an issue on your property, please call the Council on 0800 965 468 to report it.
Widespread surface flooding and road closures:
District-wide there is still a lot of surface flooding and some road closures. There are no additional road closures from overnight.
We have roaming crews clearing stormwater grills and sucker trucks working throughout the day to resolve issues where possible.
This map is live showing road and ford closures and will be regularly updated with more info through the day.
If you need to drive:
- All fords are closed. There is a lot of surface flooding. You can see known issues and road closures here - https://waimakariri.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/minimalist/index.html?appid=e38009fb150d4b48989f47d4c7968b60
- Never try to walk, swim or drive through flood water. Always assume that flood water is contaminated. Wash your hands, clothes and property after contact with flood waters.
- Council has roving crews checking our roads – but we can’t be everywhere! Call 0800 965 468 to report an issue.
What happens now?
Given the amount of rainfall we’ve experienced it will take time to drain away. If you see an issue, please call the Council on 0800 965 468 to report this.
During an event like this it’s not uncommon for the Council to receive thousands of calls that require investigation. We triage these calls and respond to the most urgent ones first.
This is the final update. The Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) has now closed.
Sunday 23 July 9.00pm
Most of the District has had over 100mLs of rain. We expect this to continue throughout the night – potentially another 60 to 90 mm.
Widespread surface flooding and road closures:
District-wide there is a lot of surface flooding and some road closures. We have roaming crews clearing stormwater grills and sucker trucks working throughout the night to resolve issues where possible.
This map is live showing road and ford closures and will be regularly updated with more info through the day.
Overall our stormwater systems and streams/rivers are coping (river flow data is available here - https://www.ecan.govt.nz/data/riverflow/). However, if you feel unsafe and that your property is at risk of flooding, please self-evacuate and stay with family or friends.
Tuahiwi residents who self-evacuated:
Residents who self-evacuated as a precaution are asked to stay away overnight.
While we have crews assessing the area throughout the night, it will be morning before we have a clear picture and can further update residents.
You can find out if you’re in the self-evacuation zone here.
If you need to drive:
- All fords are closed. There is a lot of surface flooding. You can see known issues and road closures here - https://waimakariri.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/minimalist/index.html?appid=e38009fb150d4b48989f47d4c7968b60
- Never try to walk, swim or drive through flood water. Always assume that flood water is contaminated. Wash your hands, clothes and property after contact with flood waters.
- Council has roving crews checking our roads – but we can’t be everywhere! Call 0800 965 468 to report an issue.
- The Ashburton Bridge is closed tonight from 7pm as a precaution. If you intend on travelling South through Ashburton, you will need to make alternative plans. https://nzta.govt.nz/media-releases/ashburton-riverhakatere-bridge-sh1-precautionary-closure-7pm-tonight-and-overnight-wet-weather-continues-in-canterbury/
What happens when the rain stops?
Given the amount of rainfall we’ve experienced it will take time to drain away. If you see an issue, please call the Council on 0800 965 468 to report this.
During an event like this it’s not uncommon for the Council to receive thousands of calls that require investigation. We triage these calls and respond to the most urgent ones first.
The next update will be in the morning.
Sunday 23 July – 6.40pm
Tuahiwi is at risk of further flooding at high tide tonight (8pm) when the Cam River is most affected by the incoming tide, so we strongly encourage residents to self-evacuate as a precaution.
If you can stay with friends and family tonight, we advise you to do this as a precaution.
There is also a Civil Defence Centre located at The Riverside Church in Kaiapoi (45 Charles Street, Kaiapoi).
Click this link to see if your home is within the area of concern. Anyone self-evacuating should be prepared to stay overnight.
The area in question is between Bramleys Road, Flaxton Road, Cam Road , Old North Road, Pa Road, Church Bush Road and Tuahiwi Road. You can zoom in to see the map at a property by property level.
Please take care if you are leaving the area and drive slowly through flood water to not create a bow wave.
However, we encourage residents who live nearby to also precautionarily self-evacuate if you feel unsafe.
If you live within this area:
- Take your pets with you. If it’s not safe for you, it’s not safe for them.
- Move valuable and dangerous items as high above the floor as possible. This includes electrical equipment and chemicals. Use watertight containers to store important items.
- Lift curtains, rugs and bedding off the floor.
- Check on your neighbours and anyone who may need your help.
Sunday 23 July – 1.30pm
The impact of widespread surface flooding across our District continues. We are advising people to avoid any non-essential travel and are continuing to monitor our river levels.
The latest weather warning indicates that we could expect potentially up to 60mm+ more rain this afternoon moving from the coast to inland areas of the District.
We’ve deployed several pumps and sucker trucks in various locations. We’ve got a number of pump stations that are at capacity or are overflowing in Kaiapoi, Waikuku and Rangiora.
If you encounter flood water, treat it as if it’s contaminated, don’t play in it, don’t let your kids play in it, and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards if you do come into contact.
We are aware of some residents having flood water on their properties and are responding to those on a case by case basis. Our colleagues in Fire and Emergency are also out in the field helping to pump water from properties. If you have flood water enter your home, please call 111 immediately.
We have a very limited supply of sandbags available to people in need. These can be collected from Rangiora New World and Kaiapoi Rugby Football Club.
There have been a number of road closures in the District particularly in the Oxford and Sefton areas.
This map is live showing road and ford closures and will be regularly updated with more info through the day.
Just a reminder to people that all fords in Waimakariri are closed. Do not enter fords even if they are dry. There is still melting snow on the mountains and as this flows down the situation could change at any moment and without warning.
There are a number of road closures in place across the District including:
Oxford - Island Road, Rockford Road, Watsons Reserve Road, Island Road, Welchs Road, Watsons Reserve Road, Raineys Road, Ashworths Road, Rockford Road, Kiri Kiri Road, McPhedrons Road and Harewoods Road Bridge
Sefton – Broad Road and Toppings Road
There is still significant surface flooding across the District. Driving conditions are hazardous, only drive if you have to and always drive to the conditions.
Please do not drive through fords even if they are dry – it’s still raining and there is still melting snow on the mountains and as this flows down the situation could change at any moment and without warning.
Sunday 23 July – 8am
Heavy rain continued overnight and crews have been out inspecting our roading network.
We’ve had reports of widespread surface flooding across our roading network as follows:
- Ohoka – Mill Road, Bradleys Road, Whites and Threkhelds Roads
- Rangiora - Flaxton Road, Johns Road, Fernside Road, Blackett Street, Church Street, Ayers Street and the King Street
- Cust - Oxford Road, Terrace Road, Cust, Summerhill Road, Conways Road
Driving conditions are hazardous, only drive if you have to and always drive to the conditions. Flooding signage will be put in place. However, this will take time – we will update this list as we receive more information.
Council has roving crews checking our roads – but we can’t be everywhere! Call 0800 965 468 to report an issue.
We continue to monitor our rivers and streams in particular the Cam, Cust, Okuku and Eyre Rivers and the Ohoka Stream.
As people wake up we are receiving more reports and anticipate that this will continue.
* If there is a threat of floodwater entering your home call 111 immediately.
* If it’s flooded, forget it!
For non-urgent issues to do with drainage on your street, road overflowing, or help with evacuation call the Council on 0800 965 468 (0800 WMK GOV).
Saturday 22 July – 10.45pm
Our stormwater network and rivers are managing the flow of rainwater and we continue to monitor the situation in conjunction with Environment Canterbury (ECan).
We expect another 100 to 130 mm of rain and some snow during Sunday morning.
- If there is a threat of floodwater entering your home call 111 immediately. If it’s flooded, forget it!
- For non-urgent issues to do with drainage on your street, road overflowing, or help with evacuation call the Council on 0800 965 468 (0800 WMK GOV).
Across the District this will mean driving conditions are hazardous due to snowfall, surface flooding from rain, as well as slips and other smaller issues such a debris on the roads.
If you need to travel, always drive to the conditions.
Here are some tips to remain safe on our roads:
- Surface flooding is common following heavy rain – especially on rural roads
- There are over 1500km of roads in Waimakariri and it’s not possible to put flooding signs in all areas where there is surface flooding. Don’t rely on signs and cones to warn you about potential hazards
- All fords are closed. Currently there are no road closures
- Always drive to the conditions. If you must enter flood water, assume it is deeper than it looks, drive slowly so you don’t cause a bow wave
- Assume you’re the first driver to encounter new obstacles. If you’re concerned, turn around
- Council has roving crews checking our roads – but we can’t be everywhere! Call 0800 965 468 to report an issue.
Saturday 22 July - 6.30pm
District-wide the stormwater systems and rivers are managing the flow of rainwater and we are continuing to monitor the situation in conjunction with Environment Canterbury (ECan).
We expect the most intense rainfall between now and midnight.
Sucker trucks and pumps are on standby in known flood-prone areas such as Waikuku Beach and Kaiapoi.
Please remember:
- If there is a threat of floodwater entering your home call 111 immediately. If it’s flooded, forget it!
- Prepare sandbags in advance if your home is prone to flooding.
- Stay home in extremely adverse conditions where possible.
- All fords are closed. Otherwise, the road network is currently unaffected.
- If you need to travel, please drive to the conditions. Anticipate surface flooding on the roads and always assume is it deeper than it looks.
- For non-urgent issues to do with drainage on your street, or road overflowing call the Council on 0800 965 468 (0800 WMK GOV).
Saturday 22 July - 12.45pm
The Council has activated the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) to coordinate how to allocate resources and respond to need during the expected heavy rain this evening.
Peak rates of 10 to 15 mm/h expected tonight and during Sunday morning. Snow is forecast to fall to around 500 metres then rising above 1000 metres overnight.
Saturday 22 July - 11.15am
Council teams are prepared and are monitoring the situation. We have sucker trucks and pumps on standby.
We will be checking critical infrastructure, key routes around the District and putting appropriate signage in place when need.
We are expecting surface flooding across our roading network and so please drive to the conditions.
Please remember:
- If it's flooded - forget it!
- Stay home in extremely adverse conditions where possible.
- If you need to travel please drive to the conditions.
- Clean out gutters and drains.
- Prepare sandbags if your home is prone to flooding.
Keep up to date with the MetService website.
For the full weather forecast visit the MetService website.
Road closures
All fords across the District are closed.
Keep an eye out on road closures here.