Marlborough Emergency Management has issued a ‘be ready to evacuate’ warning for residents in the Lower Terrace area in Renwick.

Incident Controller Richard MacNamara said Council’s hydrology team had been running modelling on a stopbank at the confluence of the Waihopai/Wairau rivers and determined the bank had become unstable. This poses a risk of breaking and flooding lower parts of Renwick township (Lower Terrace) and surrounding land adjacent to Gibson’s Creek and up to the Waihopai/Wairau confluence.

“We are taking the precaution of advising residents of Lower Terrace to be prepared to evacuate. The NZ Defence Force, FENZ and Marlborough’s Rapid Response team NZ-RT20 will be door knocking in the area.

An emergency mobile alert will be sent should evacuation be required immediately.

If required to evacuate, stay with family or friends as a first option.

Anyone unable to arrange their own accommodation can go to the Civil Defence Centre (CDC) at Stadium 2000, Blenheim. From the CDC, people are encouraged to take up commercial overnight accommodation options. For those unable to make other arrangements, the Omaka Marae is available as a last option overnight as well. The CDC at Stadium 2000 will be available through the night for information and shelter should anyone be unable to secure their own accommodation.

If required to evacuate:

• Stay with friends or family first, make contact sooner rather than later

• Have a grab bag ready

• Take a change of clothes and sleeping bags or blankets for each household member

• Take prescription medications, car and house keys and a phone charger

• Keep your mobile phone on and charged so you can receive calls and Antenno alerts

• Take your pets with you - they are your responsibility

Further updates will be provided, primarily through Marlborough District Council’s Facebook page and the Antenno alerting app.

Sign up to Antenno here: https://www.marlborough.govt.nz/services/apps/antenno

Keep an eye on MetService for watch and warning updates at www.metservice.com/warnings/home

You can track Council’s Floodwatch here: http://hydro.marlborough.govt.nz/floodwatch

NZ Transport Agency are urging drivers to plan for bad weather driving conditions on the region’s roads including considerable surface flooding around the region. Read the latest update at: www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic-bulletins/wet-and-windy-weather-on-the-way-for-top-of-the-south-drivers

Remember, it is always important to be prepared. For further information on emergency preparedness go to: https://getready.govt.nz/emergency/floods

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