By Sarah McMillan/cvnznews.com
Updated 5pm Monday 20 April
The Wellington region has been placed under a state of emergency as torrential rain, flash flooding and landslides hammer the lower North Island, with authorities warning the worst weather is still to come.
MetService has upgraded Wellington and Wairarapa to red heavy‑rain warnings — its highest alert level — signalling a “threat to life” from dangerous river conditions, rapidly rising water, and widespread slips. The agency says slow‑moving thunderstorms are dumping intense, localised rain, with residents describing the downpours as “torrential” and streets turning into fast‑moving streams.
Civil Defence says the situation is volatile and evolving by the hour.
Ōhura Residents Told to Prepare to Evacuate
While the state of emergency has been lifted in Whanganui District, it remains in place for the Ōhura Ward in Ruapehu District, where Civil Defence is warning of “life‑threatening flooding”.
Residents are being urged to leave immediately if they feel unsafe.
Landslides Hit Wellington
Emergency services have responded to multiple slips across the capital, including a landslide that crushed a Wellington home, caving in two bedrooms and a bathroom while tenants were asleep. No fatalities have been reported, but authorities say the risk of further slope failures remains high.
Flights Cancelled
Wellington Airport has confirmed 27 flight cancellations — 13 arrivals and 14 departures — as southerly winds gust close to 90km/h.
“The southerly wind has picked up strongly this afternoon and is causing some disruptions,” an airport spokesperson said, urging passengers to check directly with airlines.
MetService: “Threat to Life” Across Lower North Island
Red Warnings
- Wairarapa — red heavy‑rain warning until midnight tomorrow
- Wellington (excluding Porirua) — red heavy‑rain warning until 9pm tomorrow
MetService says conditions will:
- disrupt travel
- make some roads impassable
- isolate communities
- trigger significant flooding and slips
Orange Warnings
- Tararua District — heavy rain until midnight tomorrow
- Kaikōura Coast & North Canterbury ranges — heavy rain until 11pm tonight
Heavy Rain Watches
- Taihape, Whanganui, Manawatū — until midnight tomorrow
- Hawke’s Bay south of Cape Kidnappers — until midnight tomorrow
- Horowhenua, Kāpiti Coast, Porirua — from 6pm today to 9pm tomorrow
- Marlborough Sounds & Havelock area — until 11pm tonight
Strong Wind Watches
- Kāpiti Coast, Wellington, Marlborough Sounds — until 9pm tonight
- Buller, Grey, Westland — until noon tomorrow
- Taranaki — from 9pm tonight to 9pm tomorrow
Minister: “The Worst Weather Is Still Ahead”
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell, who toured affected areas with Wellington Mayor Andrew Little, warned residents to prepare for further deterioration.
“I want to acknowledge the proactive work done by the regional council to prepare for the worst of the weather which we expect this evening,” Mitchell said.
“If you are in the Wellington region, be prepared. If you are going to evacuate, make those decisions early. Stay out of floodwaters and comply with instructions from first responders.”
