With a Heavy Rain Warning in place and an already saturated region, Marlborough residents are urged to prepare for heavy rain today with potential impacts for some communities.

All of Marlborough is likely to be affected by rainfall today, with northern Marlborough under an Orange Rain Warning. The ground is already saturated - it won't take much rainfall to bring localised flooding.

People are urged to take precautions - limit your travel, look out for surface flooding and slips; be aware that streams and rivers may rise rapidly.

Marlborough Emergency Management is activated and ready to respond as required. Local agencies, community groups and rural networks are supporting this response.

Council hydrologists are not expecting the Wairau River to get as high as last week. Based on the forecast models the maximum expected is 3,000 cumecs.

• Picton and Waikawa: Expect high-intensity rainfall from noon to late afternoon today, stream flows will increase rapidly.

• Wairau Valley: potentially high stream flows in this area

• Rai and Pelorus rivers: All weather models indicate a minor flood, though less severe than last week's event.

Further updates will be provided as information comes to hand.

For preparedness advice go to: https://getready.govt.nz/emergency/floods If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 111.

For more information on floodwater and contamination go to: Floods and health

To keep up to date with the latest information and alerts sign up to Antenno. All you need to do is install the app and save the specific addresses of places you care about such as your home, work, rental property or school. Antenno will notify you when something relevant to your chosen place(s) arises. Go to: www.marlborough.govt.nz/services/apps/antenno

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

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