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 8.20pm on Saturday, 29 August 2026
Situation
A Heavy Rain Warning for the Coromandel Peninsula remains in place; however, a Heavy Rain Watch for the Waikato north of Hamilton has now been cancelled.
A low pressure system, which is bringing periods of heavy rain and localised downpours to the northern North Island, moves away to the east early Sunday. This is followed by a strong westerly flow over the country, with gales for parts of southern and central New Zealand.
We advise keeping up to date with MetService forecasting.
The Regional Flood Response team continues to monitor forecasts and flood and drainage infrastructure, and liaise closely with civil defence, local councils and other agencies.
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
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: 5 hours from 8pm Saturday to 1am Sunday
Forecast: On top of what has already fallen, expect 30 to 60 mm of rain, possibly more in localised downpours. Peak rates of 15 to 25 mm/h, but possibly 25 to 40 mm/hr in downpours. Low chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.
Impact: Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible.
Action: Clear your drains and gutters to prepare for heavy rain. Avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously.
Issued: 8:12pm Saturday, 29th August 2026
Next Update: 10:00am Sunday, 30th August 2026
Thunderstorm outlook
There are no Thunderstorm Watches or Warnings for the Waikato region. 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.
Valid to midnight Saturday, 29 August
A low moves southwards over the upper North Island during the afternoon. The associated airmass is warm and humid, especially for late winter. The risk of thunderstorms is generally considered low, but the airmass is conducive to a moderate risk of localised downpours (25-40 mm/h) over Northland, Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula and western Bay of Plenty as indicated on the chart. The risk gradually shifts southeastwards during the second half of the day, affecting the Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula and western Bay of Plenty during the evening and early part of the night and eastern Bay of Plenty at night, where the downpour risk is considered low.
Issued: 7:35am Saturday, 29 August
Valid from midnight Saturday, 29 August to noon Sunday, 30 August
A front and associated warm and humid airmass affects the northeast of the North Island before dawn on Sunday. There is a low risk of thunderstorms and low risk of downpours (25-40 mm/h) about southern Coromandel Peninsula and the Bay of Plenty.
Issued: 7:48pm Saturday, 29 August
Likely/potential Impacts
Rivers and lakes
Rivers and streams may rise rapidly and we may see localised areas of surface flooding. Avoid driving through floodwaters and plan alternative routes if you live in a flood‑prone area. Contact 111 if you are in immediate danger.
Some streams and rivers may be above expected normal levels for 36-48 hours after the event.
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
While it is not possible to predict exactly where or when landslides will occur, properties and infrastructure, including roads on or near steep slopes, cuttings or cliffs, are naturally most at risk and 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 (Sunday, 30 August) 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.
