Another downpour is on its way for the
flood-ravaged Nelson and Tasman region, and Civil Defence is urging
residents to be prepared.
The area was hit by the heaviest
rainfall in 40 years earlier this month, causing widespread flooding and
slips and sparking a state of emergency, which was lifted on Tuesday.
After a brief spell of fine weather, more rain is expected to hit on Thursday.
MetService
has issued a severe weather warning for Nelson and the Tasman District,
western Marlborough and Mount Taranaki, and warns heavy rain could
cause rivers to rise rapidly and lead to more flooding and slips,
especially in the Tasman District.
Up to 200mm of rain was
expected to fall over 36 hours from Thursday afternoon in the Tasman
District and Marlborough, with up to 120mm possible in lower-lying
areas.
Civil Defence says it would be "prudent" for Nelson and
Tasman residents to clear drains or debris and be prepared for more
rain.
Nelson Tasman Civil Defence controller Jim Frater says even a short rain event could affect already vulnerable areas.
It
would be monitoring the areas hardest hit by the recent deluge,
including Cable Bay, Iwa Road and Rocks Road in Nelson, and Pohara
Valley.
Nelson mayor Aldo Miccio was hopeful the downpour wouldn't
be as bad as the last one, but he understood the concerns of homeowners
who fell victim to the unexpected slips.
"In any other situation
it'd just be a normal heavy rain event and there wouldn't be too much
concern," he told Radio New Zealand.
"We need some rain to test
the stability of the existing slips ... but heavy rain to the degree
that could be forecast is probably not as helpful as something a bit
more moderate."
A recovery team was meeting on Wednesday to put
together an action plan, and would be ready to mobilise at a moment's
notice if there was another emergency, he says.
NZN