Flood Room

Flood Room is deactivated

Situation

There are no severe weather watches, warnings or events affecting the Waikato region. 

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 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. The MetService weather app will notify you of severe weather alerts for your area.

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.

There are no severe weather Watches or Warnings for the Waikato region. 

Thunderstorms

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.

Likely/potential Impacts

Rivers and lakes

There are no weather events affecting the Waikato region; however, 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

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 remain impacted following heavy rainfall this year. As a result, areas that would normally experience land instability may be affected by any rainfall about the hill country and ranges. 

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. 

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, as needed, to civil defence, district and city councils and other partners, stakeholders and agencies. This data is received, analysed and disseminated 24 hours a day.

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 if conditions change or 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.

Go to New Zealand Flood Pics