Flood Room status
Flood Room is monitoring. For information on current river levels, flows and rainfall accumulations, please visit our Environmental Data Hub.
What the status levels mean
Flood room is monitoring
Updated at 11am on Thursday, 24 June 2026
Situation
All MetService Heavy Rain alerts for the region have been cancelled, however we do have a Thunderstorm/Downpour Outlook for much of the region to midnight tonight.
With the rain that fell over much of the region yesterday, a localised downpour may cause localised surface flooding and/or land instability in already saturated catchments.
Therefore, Flood Room will remain in monitoring for at least the reminder of the day.
The Regional Flood Response team continues to monitor forecasts and flood and drainage infrastructure, and will liaise closely with civil defence, local councils and other agencies if circumstances change.
If an event does occur:
- Avoid driving through floodwaters and plan alternative routes if you live in a flood‑prone area.
- Contact local Civil Defence (or your council) if you observe any evidence of a landslip or flood impacts.
- Contact 111 if you are in immediate danger.
Be prepared
- Download the MetService App to your phone to receive severe weather alerts for your area.
- Add links to your local council and civil defence emergency management websites and follow their social media profiles.
- Check drains and gutters around your property to ensure water can flow freely.
- Secure outdoor items that could blow away or block drainage channels.
- Review your household emergency plan, including how you will stay informed if conditions change.
Please keep up to date with the current MetService weather forecasts and messages from local Civil Defence.
Visit our Environmental Data Hub for the latest river level and rainfall accumulations.
MetService forecast
No MetService Severe Weather Alerts for the region
Changes to the weather can occur quickly, so please keep up to date with the latest forecasts. For national severe weather information, MetService is New Zealand’s only authorised provider of Severe Weather Alerts. Download the MetService App to your phone to receive weather alerts and access rain radar information for your area.
Heavy Rain Warning (Orange) - Coromandel Peninsula
Period: 12 hours from 8am-8pm Wednesday, 24 June
Forecast: Expect 70 to 100 mm of rain. Peaks rates of 25 to 40 mm/h likely in localised downpours, with thunderstorms also possible. Minimal chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.
Impact: Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible.
Heavy Rain Warning (Orange) - Bay of Plenty west of Kawerau
Period: 13 hours from 2pm Wednesday, 24 June - 3am Thursday, 25 June
Forecast: Expect 70 to 120 mm of rain. Peaks rates of 25 to 40 mm/h likely in localised downpours, with thunderstorms also possible. Low chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.
Impact: Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible.
Thunderstorm outlook
Valid from midnight Thursday, 25 June
A complex low over the northern North Island is forecast to move slowly eastwards today.
This afternoon there is a moderate risk of thunderstorms for the far south of Coromandel Peninsula, and for much of Bay of Plenty, Waikato and Waitomo, as drawn on the chart. Any thunderstorms that occur will likely be accompanied by heavy rain with intensities of 10 to 25 mm/h, and small hail.
There is a low risk of thunderstorms for Northland this morning and tonight, and for Auckland, Great Barrier Island, Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty, and Gisborne/Tairawhiti north of Gisborne City all day. For Waikato, Waitomo, Taumarunui, Taupo, Gisborne/Tairawhiti from Gisborne City southwards, and Hawke's Bay north of Napier, there is a low risk of thunderstorms this afternoon and early evening, as depicted on the chart.
Valid from midnight, Thursday 25 June to noon, Friday 26 June
A complex low is forecast to linger to the northeast of the North Island, with an associated trough expected to move eastwards across northern New Zealand during the early hours of Friday morning.
Before dawn there is mostly a low risk of thunderstorms for Coromandel Peninsula north of Tairua, Auckland, Great Barrier Island, and Northland, but the risk is considered moderate for the west of Northland, as drawn of the chart. Any thunderstorms that occur will likely be accompanied by heavy rain with intensities of 10 to 15 mm/h, and small hail.
However, there is always a possibility severe thunderstorm watches or warnings may be issued by MetService at short notice, so please be alert for and act on these without hesitation – do NOT wait for further analysis by Waikato Regional Council. For information on preparing for and keeping safe during a storm, see the National Emergency Management Agency's Get Ready website.
Likely/potential Impacts
Rivers and lakes
We have received enough rain to saturate our catchments in most areas and any high intensity downpours can cause high runoff, especially in steeper catchments.
While we are not expecting widespread flooding, we may see localised areas of surface flooding and land instability.
If there has been recent rainfall, some streams and rivers may be above expected normal levels for 36-48 hours after the event. If an event does occur, avoid driving through floodwaters and plan alternative routes if you live in a flood‑prone area. Contact 111 if you are in immediate danger.
Wind
There are no Strong Wind Warnings or Watches issued for the Waikato region. However, downbursts and strong localised winds can occur with thunderstorm activity. Trees may fall and powerlines may come down (treat all as live). Any unsecured items may be uplifted, so now is a good time to tie them down or bring them inside. High-sided vehicles may be affected by strong winds.
Please keep up to date with information from your local power provider, the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi and local civil defence.
Coastal impacts
No significant coastal impacts are expected.
Land instability
Many catchments across the region are still recovering following heavy rainfall this year. We have also received enough rain to saturate our catchments in most areas.
As a result, areas that would normally experience land instability may be affected by any localised downpours that develop about the hill country and ranges of the region. People in these areas should remain vigilant for early warning signs of earth movement. Road users should plan ahead and keep up to date with the latest from their local council and the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi.
Contact local civil defence (or your council) if you observe any evidence of a landslip or flood impacts. Dial 111 if you are in immediate danger. Road users should plan ahead and keep up to date with the latest from their local council and the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi.
Warning signs:
- Small slips, rock falls, and sinking land, at the bottom of slopes.
- Sticking doors and window frames, which may mean the land is slowly moving under the house.
- Gaps where window frames are not fitting properly.
- Steps, decks, and verandas, moving or tilting away from the rest of the house.
- New cracks or bulges on the ground, road, footpath, retaining walls and other hard surfaces.
- Tilting trees, retaining walls, or fences.
- Water flowing out of a slope, like a new spring.
If you learn or suspect that a landslide is occurring, or is about to occur in your area, here’s what to do:
- Move quickly out of its path and stay away from it. Evacuate immediately if it is safe to do so. Your best protection is higher ground outside the path of the landslide.
- If you cannot leave safely the side of your house furthest from the landslide is likely to be the safest location on your property.
- Take your pets with you and move livestock to safe paddocks if you can do so without endangering yourself.
- Alert your neighbours. They may not be aware of the potential hazard. It may save their lives. Help neighbours who need assistance to evacuate if you can do so without putting yourself in danger.
What we're doing
Our Regional Flood Response team of scientists and subject matter experts continues to analyse the latest data and provide advice to civil defence, district and city councils, other partners, stakeholders and agencies. This data is received, analysed and updates are disseminated continuously, 24 hours a day.
Our local Flood Response teams monitor catchment impacts, operate flood and drainage schemes, and work with local stakeholders to respond to local issues.
Waikato Regional Council flood and drainage schemes
All flood and drainage infrastructure is working as it should. Local flood response staff continue to monitor forecasts and assets to ensure a timely response, should it be required.
Please note, drainage schemes will take time to return to the pre-event conditions following rainfall. Rest assured our local operations staff are monitoring.
Waikato Regional Council telemetry
Our telemetry network continues to provide real-time data on rainfall and river levels and is monitored 24/7 by our Regional Flood Response team. Visit our Environmental Data Hub for the latest river level and rainfall accumulations.
Next update
Flood Room will be updated by 1pm tomorrow (Friday, 26 June) or earlier if conditions change or further weather alerts impacting our region are issued.
New Zealand Flood Pics
New Zealand Flood Pics is a photographic archive of flooding for Aotearoa New Zealand which is currently hosted by the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA). It's free for anybody to upload or download flood photographs and your contributions are welcomed.
