Emergency alert warns of severe flooding risk in Wairarapa; residents told to be ready to evacuate
The region’s rivers and streams are rising quickly after heavy rain, and Civil Defence says people in flood‑prone areas should leave early if they see water levels lifting.
An Emergency Mobile Alert sent at 9.20pm on Sunday warns of severe flooding across Wairarapa, with heavy rain causing rivers and streams to rise rapidly overnight.
Civil Defence is urging people in low‑lying areas, coastal settlements, and places known to flood to take extra precautions and be ready to move at short notice. The guidance is to consider evacuating now, and to evacuate immediately to higher ground if you see water levels rising. Do not wait for an official warning.
If you need to leave, seek shelter with friends or whānau if you can, and take pets and essential items with you. Call 111 if your life or property is at risk, noting that emergency services could be delayed.
Updates on any Emergency Assistance Centres will be posted by local councils:
- Masterton District Council: mstn.govt.nz
- Carterton District Council: cdc.govt.nz
- South Wairarapa District Council: swdc.govt.nz
The alert, issued by the Wellington Region Emergency Management Group, lists the event as Flood, with severity Severe and certainty Observed.
This article was originally written by AI. You can view the original source here.