An Emergency Mobile Alert sent at 6.30pm warns of severe flooding risk in the Wairarapa tonight, with heavy rain expected to push rivers and streams up quickly.

Wellington Region Emergency Management says people in low-lying areas, coastal settlements, and places known to flood should take extra precautions and be prepared to leave at short notice.

Key advice from the alert:

• Consider evacuating while it is still daylight.
• If you see rising floodwater, move immediately to higher ground. Do not wait for an official warning.
• If you evacuate, shelter with friends or family if you can. Take pets and essential items.
• Call 111 if life or property is at risk, noting emergency services could be delayed.
• Do not drive or walk through floodwater.
• Stay off the roads and avoid all non‑essential travel.

Further information and updates are available from the local councils: mstn.govt.nz (Masterton), swdc.govt.nz (South Wairarapa), and cdc.govt.nz (Carterton). The alert lists the event as Flooding, with certainty “Observed” and severity “Severe.”