Historical emergencies

A state of local emergency was declared for Franz Josef at 2:00am on 24 March 2016 as a result of the Waiho River flooding. Westland Civil Defence has issued a boil water notice for the whole of the Franz Josef town water supply area. This will stay in effect until further notice as a safety precaution. The town water supply is secure for the main town area and work is continuing to confirm the integrity of the supply to the wider Franz Josef area particularly to the north of the Town Centre. There is currently no unbooked overnight accommodation available in the greater Franz Josef area. There is a Red Cross Welfare Centre set up in the town and on standby if needed. All state highways north and south of Franz Josef are currently open and all booked accommodation will be honoured unless visitors are contacted by accommodation providers directly. The Civil Defence state of emergency will stay in place overnight and will be reviewed at 9.00am tomorrow morning (25 March 2016).

Westland District Council has transitioned to a recovery phase. Council staff have a Recovery team in place monitoring the cleanup of the town centre and surrounding streets, and are liaising with affected property owners. If there are any concerns about your property or safety please contact Westland District Council on 0800 474 834 or visit www.westlanddc.govt.nz/flooding-update for more information.

The current weather situation in Buller has subsided and surface flooding is dropping. However, further heavy rainfall is forecast for the Buller in the early hours of tomorrow morning. Buller Civil Defence encourages residents to make provisions and to prepare themselves as much as possible.

Declared at 1630, lifted 1355 next day. A replay of the previous week, 220 evacuated, 20 houses flooded through (12 at Seddonville, 1 at Mohikinui, 4 at Karamea and 3 at Waimare.

Declared at 2230, lifted 1340 next day. Karamea: 7 houses inundated; 66 people evacuated. Seddonville: 6 homes & hotel evacuated. Waimare: 3 baches evacuated.

Declared at 2115, lifted at 1320. One house evacuated at Mohikinui and 2 at Seddonville (5 people)

Southern Ward (Sector G). 75 people evacuated at Franz Josef. Declared at 1930, lifted at 0650

For the areas: Kaniere Township, Arthurstown, Woodstock and Hokitika. 15 families evacuated. Declared 2030, lifted 0800 (140 people evacuated in related incident at Franz Josef). Catchment work damage was estimated at $4 million

Greymouth Borough Flooding

Declared at 1439 for Runanga Borough