Severe weather event: Updates for Thursday 25 August
25/08/2022 8:46am
Road closure updates - live map
Mayoral Relief Fund - more info
Nelson Tasman Civil Defence: Info on re-entry process for evacuees + FAQs
Frequently asked questions on water issues throughout Nelson
Updated 2:20pm: New track / playground closures (in bold below)
Info on volunteering to help
We have been overwhelmed with the number of people keen to get involved and help their community. However, we need to keep the phone lines and emails for Nelson City Council clear so that impacted families can call through for assistance. To help with this, we’ve set up an online form for people and groups wanting to get stuck in.
If you’re keen to put your hand up to volunteer please fill this out and, once the situation settles down and we know what and how we need to coordinate cleaning stuff up, we will be in touch: https://shape.nelson.govt.nz/volunteer-to-help
At this stage, our priority is still on keeping our roads and cars as clear as possible. So we’re asking people to keep it local – for example, check on friends, whānau or neighbours to see if they need a hand
Water for residents in Hira
Residents in Hira who need to source some potable water can do so tomorrow - THURSDAY 25 AUGUST - between 12pm and 2pm.
The wonderful folks at Nelmac will be bringing a 3000-Litre water tanker to the corner of Lud Valley Road and State Highway 6 to give people the opportunity to fill containers as required.
Given the wide-range of needs under the current State of Emergency, there may be a slight chance that the tanker could be prioritised to supply another critical user during this period.
However, we will let you know in advance if there is any change to the above timings.
Info on insurance claims
Many in Nelson are looking at complex insurance claims following the floods and slips caused by the weather event. We have compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions that cover a lot of the issues people are considering when making a claim. You can view them here: https://buff.ly/3dSZWBS
For costs not covered by insurance, you may be eligible for assistance from the Mayoral Relief Fund. Applications are now open at: https://buff.ly/3pqMjfM.
Incident Information Centre has moved
It is now located at the former iSite at Millers Acre Centre, corner of Trafalgar and Halifax Street, Nelson.
Insurance Council, EQC and other insurers, MSD, Primary Health, Red Cross and IRD will be present on-site from 8:30am – 6:30pm.
Mayoral Relief Fund
Thank you Talley’s Group!! This local company based in Tasman, Nelson and Marlborough has donated $50,000 to each of the Nelson Tasman and Marlborough Mayoral Relief Funds.
On behalf of residents, Nelson Mayor Rachel Reese thanked Talley’s Group for generously giving back to the region in its time of need.
"Watching the community rise to the challenge has been one of the great positives to come out of this massive event. Seeing top local companies like Talley's Group support the Mayoral Fund, both here and in Marlborough, with their incredibly generous donation, is a great boost to people in need.”
Tasman Mayor Tim King said the donation was an acknowledgement of the extent of the damage.
“This donation recognises that the damage was felt all across the top of the south, from coast to coast, and how our community in these times pulls together to reclaim what is good about Te Tauihu.”
The Nelson Tasman Mayoral Relief Fund has now received over 540 donations from generous organisations and individuals and the total donated is now $478,000, including a $300,000 contribution from the government.
To donate to the Nelson Tasman Mayoral Relief Fund or for info on how to apply for funding, visit: https://buff.ly/3dMsRaR
Hard copies of the application form for funding are available at Council customer service centres in Nelson and Tasman, libraries and the Incident Information Centre at Millers Acre. Staff will print, scan and email for you, if you require, free of charge.
Rocks Road
State Highway 6 Rocks Road will partially reopen in one direction (northbound into Nelson) from 8.00 am to 7.00 pm. This will be under strict conditions - including 30 km/hr speed limit.
Cyclists and pedestrians are NOT permitted, as work on the road is ongoing.
The re-opening is based on geotechnical advice and extreme care is being taken to protect nearby homes.
The decision is to open SH6 Rocks Road only to one lane in the northbound direction.
In Waka Kotahi's experience, reversing traffic on the same lane (known as a tidal flow) and making sure people are aware of the changes and timing is very challenging. At this point in time, Rocks Road will continue to be open to Northbound traffic only.
Each day during daylight hours, Geotechnical experts will inspect the route to see the impact the traffic is having on the road, slip and nearby properties. If problems are detected, the road may close again at short notice, including during wet weather.
Please take care as you travel along this road. Plan your journeys and expect delay
Bus updates
- Route 1 Bishopdale – Normal + FREE
- Route 2 Tāhunanui – Running at normal times through Rocks Road + FREE
- Tāhunanui Link temporary service – As timetabled and mapped
- Route 3 Atawhai - will run Normal route and timetable
- Route 4 Brook – Normal
- Route 5 Hospital – Normal
- Route 6 Washington Valley – Normal service minus Moana Ave, Bisley Ave, Tāhunanui Drive, Tosswill Road, Stansell Ave, Moana Ave.
- Route 7 Stoke Loops – Normal
- Route 8 Richmond Loops – Normal
Parks and Reserves
Staff and contractors are currently assessing tracks and establishing which areas require geotech advice.
Please be mindful that not all parks have been inspected yet. Any residual mud/water in reserves should be treated as contaminated, and it is strongly encouraged to stay out of these areas.
Tracks/reserves with tape across entrances have been inspected and will remain closed until contractors are available to make the areas safe for use.
Current closures are listed below, but to view the latest updates as they come in, visit our website.
FULL RESERVE CLOSURES
- Grampians Reserve
- Botanical Hill Reserve (incl. Centre of NZ)
- Sir Stanley Whitehead Reserve
- Tantragee Reserve
- Atmore Reserve
- Titoki Reserve
- Pipers Reserve
- Brook Conservation Reserve
- Marsden Valley Reserve
- Roding Reserve
- Corder Park
- Moana Reserve
- Moncrieff Reserve
INDIVIDUAL WALKWAY AND TRAIL CLOSURES
- Coppermine Trail (entire trail closed)
- Maitai River Walkway, upstream from Domett Street Bridge
- Commodore-Zeehaen Walkway
- Days Track Walkway between Moana Ave and Grenville Tce
- Maire-Zeehaen Walkway
- Rocks-Malcolm Walkway
- Tamaki St Walkway
- Tamaki-Princes Walkway
- Atawhai-Iwa Walkway
Days track – Prince Drive to Rocks Road section is closed / Toi Toi to Princes section is open and safe - Manuka Street Walkway
CEMETERIES
- Hallowell Cemetery
PLAYGROUND CLOSURES
- Corder Park
- Frenchay Reserve
- Plumtree Lane (Poorman Stream Esplanade in Marsden Valley)
- Riverside Reserve
- Waahi Taakaro (Sunday Hole)
More rain expected
Metservice are forecasting more rain coming through the region today, Thursday 25 August.We're expecting 50-80mm of rain over a 12 hour period in Golden Bay from 2pm Thursday, and 10-40mm for Nelson over the same period.
This shouldn’t reach anywhere near the level of rainfall we saw last week. Flooding is VERY unlikely, however, considering the instability of land in many areas throughout the region, there is potential for some slips to re-mobilise -- so, it is important that residents prepare and take safety precautions.
Alongside Waka Kotahi, Nelson City Council and Tasman District Council, we will be monitoring the reports and situation as it develops over time. View the latest forecasts via Metservice: https://www.metservice.com/towns-cities/locations/nelson
Health & Safety
When out and about cleaning up your belongings or property, please remember to keep your health in the forefront of your mind.
Flood waters, soil, silt and mud can host an array of nasty bugs, especially if floodwaters were contaminated with sewage during the worst of the event. Flood-damaged items left in moist conditions for more than a few days may also be prone to mould, which can have negative impacts on your health.
There are some boil water notices in place across the wider Tasman Region. Please keep up to date with these notices via the Tasman District Council website. For those on private supplies, please check your infrastructure and, if you have any doubts about the safety of your supply, take the precautionary approach and boil water before use.
Please remember to wash your hands, especially prior to preparing food or things like babies bottles. If your water supply is contaminated or you’re not confident that it’s not, please use boiled water or bottled water for activities like washing your hands or brushing your teeth.
We encourage the use of PPE during clean up where possible, including masks and gloves. Please also remember that children and pets don’t have the same understanding of these risks as you may, so additional precautionary measures may be advised.
We are aware that, as some of the mud dries out, areas of the earth are becoming prone to dust. We encourage the use of appropriate PPE where possible (e.g. masks) to help to prevent any potential health impacts that this may cause.
Where to dispose of flood damaged items
Mud & Dirt
Cleanfill (soil and mud) that was deposited around homes by flooding can be disposed of at two sites:
- Stoke (corner of Main Road Stoke and Saxton Road – the old Circus set up location) or
- QEII Reserve (north of the Miyazu Gardens). The Stoke site is for households and can accommodate small trucks and cars with trailers only, and will be open 8am–6pm.
The site for commercial operators and large vehicles at Vickerman Street (opposite Burnsco Nelson) reached capacity Tuesday 23 August. From Wednesday 24 August, QEII Reserve is open to commercial operators. Access is from Atawhai Drive (SH6).
Rubbish & Small Appliances
Transfer stations around the region continue to accept flood-damaged goods for free; this service is available until Sunday 4 September.
Skips have been placed around the worst-hit areas of Nelson City to allow the quick and easy disposal of flood-damaged small household items (I.e. toys, clothes, pots, pans, small appliances etc.).
Please transport larger items such as whiteware, carpet, rugs and furniture to the Nelson Waste Recovery Centre. Flood-damaged goods can be disposed of at this centre free-of-charge through until Sunday 4 September.
If commercial cleaners are covered through your insurance, they will likely take care of this for you. If you are unable to sort this yourself, please contact Nelson City Council on 03 546 0200.
Conserve water
Residents in the Nelson City area should continue to be mindful of water usage, especially at peak times.
Sports fields
Sports fields in Nelson re-opened up to the public yesterday. Training and games can resume.
The pitches took on a lot of water, but this has drained off and they look in good shape.
Unfortunately, the floods caused considerable damage at the Waahi Taakaro Golf Course, which remains closed until further notice.
Cemeteries
- Marsden valley Cemetery is now open, but traffic is closed in the one-way system due to a damaged road. Hearses and families attending for a burial will be allowed to drive in under sexton's directions. They will need to drive out the same way they drove in.
- Wakapuaka Cemetery is now open to the public.
