Residents evacuated from rising flood water across the region

Published on 16 February 2026

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Description of situation

  • Residents of the Herbertville campground and pub self-evacuated due to the rising Wainui river levels. 15 evacuees have moved to the community hall
  • Residents along River Road and Saddle Road, Ashhurst are also being evacuated as a precaution due to the rising levels of the Pohangina river.
  • Over 14,000 homes across the region are without power. Full details are available via lines company websites.
  • Heavy rain warnings are still in place across the region until 3pm on Monday 16 February.
  • There are numerous road closures due to fallen trees and other debris which is currently too dangerous to clear.

 

What’s being done?

  • The region’s emergency coordination centre is being staffed throughout the night.
  • Lines companies are assessing the situation and working to restore power where safe to do so.

 

Public safety/health instructions

  • Conditions are expected to worsen in the short term. Now is the time to shelter in place if it is safe to do so.
  • Avoid any non-essential travel. Roads will begin to flood and be blocked by trees, and this will be difficult to spot in the dark.
  • If in doubt, get out – this applies to people and stock. You are best to pre-emptively evacuate areas, rather than waiting for conditions to worsen overnight.
  • Never, ever try to walk, play, swim or drive in flood water.
  • If you lose power, unplug major appliances to avoid power surge damage, use torches instead of candles as they’re safer.
  • If you rely on power for medical equipment and lose power, call 111 or go to your nearest medical centre if it is safe to do so.
  • If you have a power cut, eat food in your fridge first, then your freezer, then your cupboard or emergency kit. Minimise the number of times you open your fridge or freezer door.
  • Use a radio (a car radio counts) to stay connected with key messaging if you lose power.
  • Limit call durations and use TXT where you can. Avoid using data as it drains your battery.
  • If you are in danger, call 111. 111 calls will be carried on other networks. If your phone says “No Service”, try anyway and give the phone time to connect.

 

Important information

  • Keep updated with the weather via MetService.
  • Check NZTA Journey Planner for state highway closures, and relevant district and city councils for local road closures.

 

Listen to these radio stations for official information:

Note: list of district-specific stations here.

Radio New Zealand                  

More FM

Newstalk ZB

The Hits

The Breeze

Iwi Radio

Community Radio

 

 

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