19 Aug 2022

Civil defence update on flooded Nelson-Tasman region

From Morning Report, 7:12 am on 19 August 2022

In Nelson, more residents had to be evacuated overnight - forced out of their homes by slips and falling trees. At least 411 homes have now been evacuated in total. The city's water supply has been affected by a slip that has damaged the main line from Maitai Reservoir into the city. It says the secondary pipe is still supplying water, but at a much-reduced flow rate. Residents are being asked to conserve water. The ground is saturated, and landslips have taken place in multiple areas including Atawhai - where power is now out. Many evacuated Nelson residents have no idea when they'll be able to return to their homes with parts of the city damaged by flooding and slips. A state of emergency remains in force. Rob Smith, the Nelson/Tasman Civil Defence Emergency Management Group Controller, spoke to Corin Dann