Dispatch Desk

Weather / Emergency

Red severe weather warning for South Waikato and Ōtorohanga; Civil Defence urges people to be ready to evacuate

The highest MetService alert is in place from 7pm, with flooding and landslip risks; authorities say avoid travel and act quickly if water rises.

Source: NZ Emergency Management
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Red severe weather warning for South Waikato and Ōtorohanga; Civil Defence urges people to be ready to evacuate
Map of the area the EMA was sent to / Supplied

A Red Severe Weather Warning has been issued for South Waikato and Ōtorohanga from 7pm, triggering an Emergency Mobile Alert from Waikato Civil Defence.

Authorities are asking people to put safety first, avoid unnecessary travel, and be prepared to leave quickly if rivers rise or if they are asked to evacuate. The message is blunt: do not walk, swim, or drive through floodwater, and keep an eye out for signs of landslips.

Key points from Civil Defence:

  • Red warning in effect for South Waikato and Ōtorohanga from 7pm.
  • Be ready to self-evacuate; if told to evacuate, do so immediately.
  • Avoid travel where possible.
  • Have a grab-bag ready.
  • Call 111 if life is in danger.

A Red Warning is MetService’s highest-level alert and is used when severe weather is occurring or imminent and could have significant impacts, including flooding and slips.

Updates and detailed forecasts are available via Waikato Civil Defence and MetService channels:

  • facebook.com/WaikatoCivilDefence
  • waikatocivildefence.govt.nz

Officials say to act early rather than wait to see how conditions develop.

This article was originally written by AI. You can view the original source here.