The following is the forecast for Wairarapa on 20-21 April. Information is current at 9.45am Monday April. Visit the MetService website for up-to-date weather information.

Heavy Rain Warning – Orange

Period: 39hrs from 9am Monday 20 April – midnight Tuesday 21 April

Area: The Tararua Range, Wairarapa and Tararua District south of Woodville, also Wellington south of Tawa and also the Hutt Valley.

Forecast: Heavy rain in South Wairarapa is expected to spread northwards this afternoon. Expect 80 to 120 mm to accumulate, but 150 to 250 mm about the ranges and coastal hills. Peak rates of 15 to 25 mm/h, but 25 to 40 mm/h possible in localised places, especially in thunderstorms. Moderate chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.

Get prepared:

Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible.

Strong wind gusts can damage trees, powerlines and unsecured structures.

• Clear stormwater drains outside your property to help prevent surface flooding.
• Clear your household drains and gutters to prepare for heavy rain.
• Prepare for impacts now by having food, water, medicine and petfood to get through
• Consider staying with family or friends somewhere else if you are somewhere that usually gets flooded or isolated, or if you live near a waterway. Be prepared to self-evacuate during daylight hours.
• Make a plan with your family and neighbours for connecting with each other if communications are limited.
• Avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously. 

Check out WREMO and National Civil Defence websites for preparedness tips and advice.

Roading impacts

Keep across district road closures along with the Ruamahanga river levels here.

Note – if the SH53 Waihinga Bridge closes, the Lower Valley Bridge on Kahutara Road will also close which will impact the Kahutara and Western Lake alternative routes.

Please plan your travel for Monday and Tuesday with this in mind as it’s possible other alternative routes could also close. 

• White Rock Road is flooded in the Tuturumuri School area. The road is passable. Flooing signs have been placed on site. Please take care when driving through this area.

Stay informed

• Tune in to The Breeze FM (99.1FM from Eketahuna to Pirinoa, and 99.9FM for Castlepoint and Riversdale) or RNZ (101.5FM / 567AM)
• Follow us, MetService, Wellington Region Emergency Management Office, and Waka Kotahi NZTA – Wellington on Facebook
• Sign up to Antenno for Council updates direct to your phone: https://swdc.govt.nz/services/antenno/
• Keep across district road closures along with the Ruamahanga river levels here. 

Report damage and issues

Use these channels to report issues you come across:

• Call emergency services (police, fire, ambulance) on 111 if the situation is life threatening
• Reports about Council infrastructure and assets can be made via the Antenno app: https://swdc.govt.nz/services/antenno/
• Call our Customer Service team on 06 306 9611
• Use the Get it Sorted online form: https://swdc.govt.nz/contact-us/get-it-sorted/