wellington/ wairarapa storm

Razor · Unread post by **Razor** » Wed 05/07/2006 10:08

Given it looks like lasting a few days this one deserves it's own thread

NZ Herald report
Weather disrupts travel across country

UPDATED 9.20am Wednesday July 5, 2006

Bad weather disrupted travel across the country today with Cook Strait ferries cancelled and ice on the runway holding up planes at Dunedin airport.

Further north, fog was the problem at Rotorua airport, delaying flights to Wellington and Auckland.

Heavy rain overnight in the Wairarapa -- particularly in south eastern areas -- caused widespread flooding with drivers asked to take extreme care on all roads and to drive to conditions.

Greater Wellington Regional Council senior communications adviser Catriona Robertson said staff were assessing the situation and monitoring river levels.

However, the South Island escaped the full brunt of a wintry blast which was predicted to hit overnight, with fresh snowfalls mainly contained to higher ground.

Regions which had been hit by hard heavy snowfalls in recent weeks were spared further falls but police warned travellers to drive to the conditions with some roads affected by ice.

Seven metre swells and 70 knot winds forced Toll Shipping to cancel its Cook Strait ferry sailings this morning.

Spokeswoman Sue Foley said the earliest sailing could be at 2pm but a review of the weather conditions would be made at midday.

"But the way the weather is at the moment it may be that we don't have any sailings all day," she said.

Bluebridge spokeswoman Wendy Pannett said the 3am sailing from Wellington had been cancelled and the 7am sailing from Picton had been cancelled because of the weather.

A decision on further sailings would be reviewed later in the day, she said.

A Dunedin police spokesman said there had been some snow overnight but had mainly fallen in the hills, particularly near Three Mile but there had been no reported problems.

Icy road conditions were though reported in Clinton, South Otago, where drivers were advised to drive carefully. And ice on the runway caused Dunedin International Airport to delay its scheduled departures and arrivals this morning.

A Dunedin spokesman for Air New Zealand said two 737 domestic flights -- one arrival and one departure had been disrupted because of the ice.

Staff were now working to remove ice from the aeroplanes but scheduled services were expected to resume shortly, he said.

Fog at Rotorua Airport delayed the departure of two flights to Auckland and Wellington by half an hour.

A spokeswoman said the fog had now cleared and all flights were on schedule.

Motorists in Wellington were urged to take care on the roads as a slip on State Highway 2 caused a backlog of traffic.

Wellington Inspector James Taare said at slip at Horokiwi, near Petone, meant drivers had to be even more alert to the driving conditions in the area.

Mr Taare said there had also been two multi-car nose-to-tail accidents already this morning.

Metservice said today the South Island had largely seen the worst of the cold snap moving up the country.

The New Zealand Rugby Union is offering 100 free tickets to Saturday night's Tri Nations rugby test between New Zealand and Australia in Christchurch to South Canterbury families hardest hit by the recent wintry weather.

The NZRU and Canterbury Rugby Football Union have also offered discounted tickets to power company staff who worked under extreme conditions to get electricity restored.

- NZPA

Razor · Unread post by **Razor** » Wed 05/07/2006 12:19

The lack of feedback here suggests people don't care about poor old Wellington/ Wairarapa

But its looking grimmer by the hour with more heavy rain due tomorrow

Flooding in Wairarapa/Wellington
5/07/2006 11:56:11

Heavy rain is causing problems in the greater Wellington and Wairarapa regions.

At least one person has been forced to move out of their home in Martinborough because of rising river levels in Wairarapa.

This morning, two farmers trying to cross the Hangaroa River in a four-wheel drive vehicle became trapped. The rescue helicopter managed to winch them to safety. Inspector Taare says the men were were checked for hypothermia.

Lindsay Annear of the Greater Wellington Regional Council says surface flooding is affecting many Wairarapa roads. He says officials are keeping a close eye on river levels and advising farmers to move livestock to higher ground.

Motorists in Wellington have also been advised to beware of surface flooding. More heavy rain is forecast for Wellington, Wairarapa and Kapiti Coast.

Flutterbye · Unread post by **Flutterbye** » Wed 05/07/2006 12:33

Of course we care

Shepherds Valley WX · Wed 05/07/2006 12:41

Just a little southerly blow here in Wellington

Nothing to get overly excited about!

No in all seriousness, I was out around Eastbourne this morning and the inner harbour sea state was pretty rough with a lot of surface flooding and strong southerly winds. Closer to home in Upper Hutt, my weather station has recorded about 50mm of rain in the last 24 hours (although a fault on my PC has made this an estimate but it is backed by manual guages). The Hutt river is dirty brown and quite high, and its flowing very quickly under the silverstream bridge.

I see reports of 7m swells in the Strait, with fery sailings cancelled today.

Willoughby · Unread post by **Willoughby** » Wed 05/07/2006 13:22

Razor wrote:The lack of feedback here suggests people don't care about poor old Wellington/ Wairarapa

???
We don't have as many observers in Wellington compared to Chch or AK do we?

Shepherds Valley WX · Wed 05/07/2006 13:31

There are a few of us...we are perhaps not as "vocal" as others....

I think the forums most knowledgeable weather records keeper RWOOD is a Wellingtonian....

The Wellington region is also well served by amateur WX stations.... check out Trevor's site for the mesomap....

Still raining here, 7.4C, Baro 1015.9 and steady....

Razor · Unread post by **Razor** » Wed 05/07/2006 13:44

Latest report of Martinborough evacuations suggest it is a "ten year event" for the third time in "the last few years" and still raining heavily.....

Wildland · Unread post by **Wildland** » Wed 05/07/2006 13:58

Steady rain here in Tawa. 42 mm so far today, 24 mm yesterday (blub).
7.8 Celsius and a "bracing" southerly.
My w/stn tells me that it's the wettest day since it was commissioned in Jan last year.
Previous max daily rain for this station was 41 mm.

Razor · Unread post by **Razor** » Wed 05/07/2006 14:19

It's been reported that Civil Defence is gearing up in preparation for a turn in the worse direction

Wildland · Unread post by **Wildland** » Wed 05/07/2006 15:12

Three of the region's councils are really switched on and use their web sites effectively to communicate road closures etc., and provide regular updates.
Hutt City Council, Masterton and South Wairarapa District Councils are making very effective use of their CD or news pages to keep people up to date. The other outfits could learn a thing or two from these councils.

Evening commuters will face delays getting to the Hutt Valley it seems - a large slip between Horokiwi and Petone turnoffs on SH2 has caused traffic to be diverted into the southbound lanes, one lane each way. Commuter trains are still running on the modified Saturday timetable (due to an industrial dispute) so the units might be a bit more crowded this evening.

Other than the road closures things seem to be under control at the moment. The easterners seem to be getting worse weather than us on the western side.

Rain has eased here in Tawa - now up to 43 mm so far today, and the temperature has rocketed up to 7.9 Celsius.

janewaystv · Unread post by **janewaystv** » Wed 05/07/2006 16:17

Thats what we had here in Sydney yesterday (only lasted for 24 hours), sounds like it has now moved to batter Wellington.

huttcrazy · Unread post by **huttcrazy** » Wed 05/07/2006 17:36

Hi

Here I am squelching around in the foot of the Eastern Hills in Lower Hutt.

Rainfall (in last 24 hrs from WRC telemetry) is :

Orongorongo (Wairapa side of the hills) = 150mm (peak hour 11mm)
Wainuiomata Reservoir = 150 mm (7mm)
Hutt Valley (Shandon) = 95mm (7mm)

Reckon there could be another 100mm if the southeasterly track of the low is as predicted. Looks like my house may get the pilings washed again..

Cheers

James

squid · Unread post by **squid** » Wed 05/07/2006 19:52

FURTHER HEAVY RAIN TODAY IN WELLINGTON AND WAIRARAPA WITH SOUTHERLY
GALES.
SNOW HAS EASED IN NORTH CANTERBURY AND THE KAIKOURA COAST.
Heavy rain which has been falling in Wairarapa, Wellington and and
Kapiti is set to continue until later this afternoon, then ease back
in intensity. Another 40 to 50mm may fall in some lower lying parts
of Wellington and Wairarapa south of Pahiatua, while a further 80 to
100mm is possible in the hills and ranges.This will add to the 80 to
120mm which has already fallen and people in these areas are advised
to watch for streams and rivers to continue rising today.
Southerly gales should continue with gusts to 110 km/h about
Wellington until this afternoon.
In the hills of North Canterbury and the Kaikoura Coast snow has
eased to light showers now and the warning of heavy snow has now been
lifted.

MORE DETAILED INFORMATION FOR EMERGENCY MANAGERS AND TECHNICAL USERS FOLLOWS:

HEAVY RAIN WARNING

AREAS AFFECTED: WAIRARAPA WELLINGTON KAPITI

FORECAST:

In the 6 to 8 hours from 8am today a further 30 to 50mm possible in lower lying
parts of the Wairarapa Plains and the Hutt Valley, while 80mm is possible in the
hills and ranges with intensiies of 5 to 10mm per hour. From late afternoon
further rain is still expected but of lower intensity, adding another 20mm about
the hills.

STRONG WIND WARNING

AREA AFFECTED: WELLINGTON
FORECAST:

In the 6 hours from 8am to this afternoon southerly winds gusting to 110 km/h at
times in exposed places, then easing slowly

Willoughby · Unread post by **Willoughby** » Wed 05/07/2006 23:08

Looks like that heavy rain is set to redevelop with associated southerlies rising to storm by evening in Wellington.

NZ Thunderstorm Soc · Wed 05/07/2006 23:14

It will be if that low drops down and anticyclonic pressures over the South Island are dropping

JohnGaul
NZTS

RWood · Unread post by **RWood** » Thu 06/07/2006 02:29

Very interesting, but not sorry to be missing it. Here the locals are complainign about the cold because the usual long sequence of warm sunny days has been interrupted by a weak frontal incursion with some high cloud and a significant drop in temps.

Razor · Unread post by **Razor** » Thu 06/07/2006 13:29

It still surprises me that a frost or snow dump in the south gets so much press here when perhaps the most damaging storm to hit NZ this year (as it seems to be unfolding now) gets not a single post today.

Stand by for a full civil defence emergency this afternoon....

But the main thing is the wine is safe

Severe weather warning extended
6/07/2006 13:16:03

Masterton airport has been closed as heavy rain continues to lash the Wairarapa. The rain has damaged the main runway.

Wellington Regional Council emergency manager Rian van Schalkwyk says the rain is a worry. Rian van Schalkwyk says half a dozen houses and the hotel are also in danger of flooding in the Tinui area north of Masterton. Prime News reporter Jessica Mutch is in the Wairarapa, and says there is extensive surface flooding. She says the rain is still falling in Masterton.

The residents of three houses have been evacuated because of sewage overflow caused by the heavy rain. Two are in Masterton and one is in Carterton. Rian van Schalkwyk says the families are being accommodated in hotels.

He says in south Wairarapa, four families have been evacuated as a precaution because they are very close to the Ruamahanga River. Mr van Schalkwyk says the river's danger level is 5.3 metres, at present it has risen to 4.95 metres.

Sally Lavin of the Martinborough Hotel says the flooding is causing them a couple of problems. She says they employ a lot of people from outside the town, and they have been unable to get to work. And there is water coming into the wine cellar, which is now being pumped out. She says the wine is safe and sound.

The bad weather battering the central North Island is spreading. The severe weather warning issued for Wellington and the Wairarapa earlier today has been extended to cover eastern Marlborough, south Taranaki and Wanganui.

The National Civil Defence Centre is Wellington is monitoring the situation. It says while the situation appears to be largely under control at the moment, concern exists because of the anticipation of more rain. Around 80 millimetres is expected in parts of Wairarapa and Wellington through the day.

The downpour on already sodden areas is worrying officials.They are particularly worried about Wairarapa rivers. They have been dropping following yesterday's heavy rain, but there are fears the fresh downpours will see them rise again. Spokesman Chris Baylis says at the moment the centre is collating information and will provide support if requested.
And Transit is warning motorists to take extreme care on the Napier - Taupo Highway. Sections of State Highway 5 are flooded on between Taupo and Eskdale. Some minor slips have also occurred.

Willoughby · Unread post by **Willoughby** » Thu 06/07/2006 13:54

As said razor, this place would be a whole lot different if we had more Welly observers.. i.e not the Canterbury weather forum as it almost is.

Expected clearing northerly change extending to Friday afternoon now for Wellington. Strong southeasterlies through now with easing rain.. short lived though, as winds tend stronger SSW (south coast that is)

Heaviest rain looks like it's some 70km W of Gisborne.. if it can't scoop around enough then the Wairarapa may be saved. interesting.. GFS 18z tracks it SE. Even though steering winds at the moment are tending NE.

Razor · Unread post by **Razor** » Thu 06/07/2006 13:58

Don't get me wrong- I'm a Cantab viewing from afar and am as keen as the next mug to hear about whats going on in the south, but hell...life exists north of cook strait

TonyT · Unread post by **TonyT** » Thu 06/07/2006 14:20

Razor wrote:Don't get me wrong- I'm a Cantab viewing from afar and am as keen as the next mug to hear about whats going on in the south, but hell...life exists north of cook strait

Its life Jim, but not as we know it...

Razor · Unread post by **Razor** » Thu 06/07/2006 14:29

Yes well don't start me on four hour power cuts...and storms that blow over deck chairs

Razor · Unread post by **Razor** » Thu 06/07/2006 14:36

212.5mm recorded in the Catchpool Valley in Wellington in this event so far...and still falling. Major track damge and closures to recreational access

Shepherds Valley WX · Thu 06/07/2006 15:03

Upper Hutt weather report....

Wind easing, but rain coninuing to steadily fall. Hutt River very muddy and moving swiftly , Barometer 998.7 and still falling. 12.8mm rain today, to go with 36.2mm yesterday. Much heavier rainfall is being experienced towards Masterton, however the Hutt Valley is a large catchment area and the river level is refelecting the amount of rain that has fallen in the basin. Still a lot of localised flooding etc, but I believe the SH2 slip has been cleared.

squid · Unread post by **squid** » Thu 06/07/2006 16:00

ANOTHER DAY OF RAIN FOR WELLINGTON AND WAIRARAPA, SPREADING TO
EASTERN MARLBOROUGH, SOUTHERN TARANAKI AND WANGANUI
MetService is warning of further heavy rain today for Wellington and
Wairarapa as a front stalls over the area. Another 80 to 100mm is
expected to fall in the Wairarapa and Wellington hills and 40 to 60mm
over lower lying areas by late tonight adding to already sodden
ground and high streams and rivers.
The rain band is also spreading onto eastern Marlborough where up to
80mm is possible about the eastern hills up to this evening.
In southern Taranaki and Wanganui rain may become heavier later today
as southerly winds pick up and by the end of today there may be
100mm on southern slopes of Mt Taranaki and up to 70mm in the
eastern hill country of Taranaki and the Wanganui hills, most of this
falling this afternoon and evening.

MORE DETAILED INFORMATION FOR EMERGENCY MANAGERS AND TECHNICAL USERS FOLLOWS:

HEAVY RAIN WARNING

AREAS AFFECTED: WELLINGTON AND WAIRARAPA
EASTERN MARLBOROUGH
THE HILL COUNTRY OF SOUTHERN TARANAKI AND WANGANUI.

FORECAST:

WAIRARAPA
In the 12 to 16 hours from 8am today, 80 to 100 mm possible about the
eastern hills and the Tararuas. In lower lying areas south of
Pahiatua 40 to 60mm is possible. Intensities mostly around 3 to 6mm
per hour but 8 to 10mm per hour at times in the hills.
Rain should ease in areas north of Martinborough by late afternoon
but lasting until around midnight in areas farther south.

WELLINGTON
Rain for much of the day. From 8am today to 3am Friday, 80 to 100mm
about the eastern hills and 40 to 60mm in some other areas. The rain
should ease overnight.

MARLBOROUGH
Persistent rain in eastern Marlborough may bring 60 to 80mm about the
eastern hills from 8am to 6pm today, easing in the evening.

MT TARANAKI AND THE HILL COUNTRY OF SOUTHERN TARANAKI AND WANGANUI
On southern slopes of Mt Taranaki, up to 100mm possible between 8am
today and 3am Friday. Heaviest falls this afternoon and evening.
In the hill country of southern Taranaki and Wanganui rain becoming
heavier this afternoon and evening with up to 70mm possible between
3pm today and 3am Friday

Razor · Unread post by **Razor** » Thu 06/07/2006 16:59

The latest Civil Defence Situation Report is here:

http://www.wrcdemg.govt.nz/site/section ... ctionid=88

It would appear things are on the edge of blowing up but with luck the worst effects have already been felt. But it needs to STOP RAINING!!!!