Weather Alert: New Zealand, Heavy Wind and Gales Across New Zealand

Weather Alert: U.S. Mission New Zealand – Heavy Rain and Severe Gales

Location: Eastern, central and southern North Island, Marlborough, North Canterbury and Chatham Islands

Event: New Zealand’s MetService forecasts that a deep low east of the North Island will bring heavy rain and severe gales to the eastern, central and southern North Island, northeast of the South Island and Chatham Islands. The worst conditions are expected overnight on Sunday, February 15, to Monday, February 16, followed by a slow easing. Threat to life from dangerous river conditions, significant flooding, and slips are possible. Conditions will disrupt travel, make some roads impassable, and isolate communities. Large waves and dangerous sea conditions are also expected, and coastal inundation is possible around exposed coasts.

The Met Service advises that red heavy rain warnings are in place in the following regions:

• Manawatu
• Rangitikei
• Ruapehu Districts (north of Feilding and east of State Highway 1)

Orange heavy rain warnings are in place in the following regions:

• Gisborne/Tairawhiti (south of Poverty Bay)
• Hawke’s Bay area
• Taihape
• Inland Whanganui and Manawatu
• Wellington (Eastern Hills)
• Wairarapa
• Tararua District and the Tararua RangeWairarapa
• Kaikōura District and part of Canterbury
• Banks peninsula

Actions to Take: 

• Monitor local news and weather stations for updates.
• Monitor public weather alerts for your area on www.metservice.com  .
• Gather needed supplies, including food, water, medications, etc.
• Do not enter floodwaters and avoid travel in effected areas.
• Act quickly to self-evacuate if you see rising water.
• Stay away from slips.
• Carry an emergency preparedness kit in your vehicle.
• Be ready for power and communication outages.

For Assistance:

• U.S. Consulate General Auckland, Level 3, Citigroup Building, 23 Customs Street East, Auckland 1010
• Contact information: +64 09 303 2724, AucklandACS@state.gov
• State Department Consular Affairs: +1 888-407-4747 or +1 202-501-4444
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program  (STEP) to receive alerts
• Follow us on Facebook   and X (Twitter).