(The Guardian) Flooding hits New Zealand’s South Island
Hundreds of South Island residents have been evacuated and are waiting to learn the severity of flood damage to their homes as New Zealand’s big winter wet continues, AAP reports.
An “atmospheric river”, as described by forecasters MetService, from the north has brought widespread rains to the country this week. The worst-hit city so far is Nelson, where rainfall has destroyed roads and a state of emergency has been declared.
Authorities ordered 233 homes in Nelson East to evacuate overnight as the Maitai River swelled.
On Tuesday, MetService issued a rare red warning, saved for the most damaging weather events, for Buller and Westland on the west coast of South Island. In the often-soaked Westport, which received 70mm on Wednesday, about 160 households were encouraged to “self-evacuate as a precaution” by civil defence.
Another front is due to arrive on Friday.
Hundreds of South Island residents have been evacuated and are waiting to learn the severity of flood damage to their homes as New Zealand’s big winter wet continues, AAP reports.
An “atmospheric river”, as described by forecasters MetService, from the north has brought widespread rains to the country this week. The worst-hit city so far is Nelson, where rainfall has destroyed roads and a state of emergency has been declared.
Authorities ordered 233 homes in Nelson East to evacuate overnight as the Maitai River swelled.
On Tuesday, MetService issued a rare red warning, saved for the most damaging weather events, for Buller and Westland on the west coast of South Island. In the often-soaked Westport, which received 70mm on Wednesday, about 160 households were encouraged to “self-evacuate as a precaution” by civil defence.
Another front is due to arrive on Friday.
