Flooding was knee deep in Riwaka

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Flooding in Riwaka overnight has closed roads and forced some people from the homes, and a welfare centre is now up-and-running at the Motueka Recreation Centre.

Civil defence response team member Ian Watts says there have been no compulsory evacuations but people have been leaving their homes voluntarily.

“We haven’t had to evacuate anybody, but we have knocked on doors to see if people are ok and if they want to move to the welfare centre,” he says. “It’s important to activate the welfare centre before we need it just in case we do get that influx of people.”

Ian says the flooding is “completely impassable,” and knee-deep in some parts of the township.

He says the worst hit area is around the shopping area and the other side of the Riwaka Hotel and garage to the Kaiteriteri turnoff. There is also some surface flooding in High St Motueka.

“Giving it happened at night it created a bit more urgency for home owners,” he says.

“There was concern at night, and the people we have talked to say the water hadn’t entered their homes, but it was lapping at the door.”

“Most people will be going to families places rather than coming to the welfare centre, but it’s the place to come if they need somewhere,” he says.

The weather forecast is for rain easing and the situation is expected to improve this morning.

Flooding on the North Branch of the Riwaka River has been a 50 year event. Flooding on the South Branch of the Riwaka River has been a 20 year event.

The following roads are currently closed due to flooding and slips:

Motueka River West Bank Road – Slip and Tree down near Blue Gum Corner

Graham Valley Road – Slips

Dovedale Road at summit – Trees down

Brooklyn Valley Road approx 5k in – Slip

Factory Road, Riwaka – Flooding and Tree down

Riwaka Valley Road – Slips/Flooding

Abel Tasman Drive at Wainui  – Flooding

Pupu Valley Road – Flooding

One Spec Road – Flooding

Totaranui Road – Flooding

Collingwood-Puponga Main Road – Flooding

Collingwood-Bainham Main Road – Flooding

Takaka Hill Highway – Slips

Takaka Valley Highway at Upper Takaka – Flooding

Takaka-Collingwood Highway at Waitapu Splash – Flooding

 

Other issues and single lane closures:

Motueka River West Bank near Blueberry Farm – Slip

Motueka High Street, Wratt St, Woodland Ave – Flooding, and vehicles making bow wave causing flooding in properties

Sunrise Valley – Slip

Barton Rd & Higgins Rd Wakefield – Flooding