Weather
Westport evacuations ordered before flooding
Civil Defence has ordered an evacuation of low-lying parts of Westport, before the already heavy rainfall becomes more intense tonight.
A red weather warning is still in place.
Emergency personnel… Audio
Rivers around Westport running high
West Coast residents are waking up to day three of heavy rain warnings, with further downpours forecast for this afternoon.
State Highway 67 north of Westport is closed due to a slip, and both rivers… Audio
Wild weather: Westport on alert for severe flooding
Rain continues to fall in Buller, and Westport is on high alert for severe flooding, similar to that which devastated hundreds of homes in July.
Civil Defence is monitoring the situation closely and… Video, Audio
West Coast: Civil defence remains on high alert as downpours continue
MetService is forecasting more severe rain on the South Island's West Coast - which could cause dangerous river conditions and flooding in Buller. Audio
Record breaking West Coast rainfalls
Residents in the Grey District and Westland have experienced record-breaking rainfall.
The wettest 24 hour period since 1944 was measured at Westport Airport yesterday until 9am today.
Pictures… Audio
Buller Mayor expects the worst of rain still to come
Residents in Buller continue to be warned evacuations are very possible in coming days.
The heavy rain is expected to ramp up today and continue through to the weekend.
A state of emergency is in… Audio
Westland heavy rain forces State Highway 6 closure
State Highway 6 in South Westland is closed, as heavy rain continues to pile onto the West Coast.
Overflow from the waterfalls in the Haast Valley is running down the highway at the Mahi Tahi River… Audio
Emergency response to West Coast storm ramping up
State Highway 6 south of Fox Glacier is closed due to flooding on the West Coast of Te Waipounamu - the South Island.
There's also minor flooding between Hokitika and Fox Glacier, and Westport to… Audio
Buller update with mayor Jamie Cleine
A state of emergency was declared in Buller this afternoon due to heavy rain. Residents have set up sandbags and were urged to prepare getaway bags in preparation for evacuations. Mayor Jamie Cleine… Audio
State of emergency declared as heavy rain moves up West Coast
A state of emergency has been declared in the Buller District, with heavy rain set to continue in the region for the next few days.
'It's future thinking': Regional council weighs viability of key flood protection scheme
An Otago scheme aimed at keeping floodwaters at bay is under review with climate change looming as a potential challenge.
State of emergency in Buller, heavy rain may force evacuation
A state of emergency has been declared in the Buller District, as heavy rain continues to pummel the region.
Thousands of sandbags have been dispatched to help people protect their homes.
The… Audio
Engineers rule out West Coast flood prevention tactic
The West Coast Regional Council says engineering advice has ruled out the use of a cut in the Orowaiti River, to alleviate flooding during the current adverse weather.
Westport and Buller prepare for heavy rain, locals warned to avoid non-essential travel
A heavy rain red warning has been issued for Buller and Westland districts - the most serious weather warning there is. Audio
West Coast downpour - MetService's latest forecast
A red weather warning is in place for the West Coast of the South Island, where heavy rain has been falling since early this morning.
Māni Dunlop gets the latest update from Metservice… Audio
West Coast downpour - emergency operations on watch
Emergency management operations are on watch on the West Coast, where heavy rain has been falling since early this morning.
Some residents are being evacuated as a precaution.
Waka Kotahi says… Audio
MetService on heavy rain warning in West Coast
MetService has issued a red warning for heavy rains expected to create dangerous conditions on the West Coast - it's the forecaster's most extreme category of warning.
The rain started overnight, and… Audio
Weather: Buller residents told to pack emergency bag
Buller District residents are being warned to pack an emergency getaway bag, make sure their cars are filled with petrol, and be prepared for evacuations at any time due to forecast heavy rain.
Last… Audio
West Coast farmers ready for rain to hit
West Coast farmers are battening down the hatches in response to a red warning for heavy rain - shifting stock to higher ground and preparing for heavy rains and the possibility of flooding and slips.
…Waka Kotahi warns weather will affect road conditions
Transport agency Waka Kotahi says heavy rain forecast for the West Coast is expected to make roads dangerous and some could become impassible due to slips and flooding. It's warning motorists not to… Audio
