Update; Tuesday April 21 : 8:30 am
Wellington remains under an active state of emergency with Red heavy‑rain warnings in place; people in low‑lying, flood‑prone and hill‑slope areas should stay alert, avoid travel where possible, and move to higher ground immediately if waters rise.
Wellington’s Mayor Andrew Little told Ryan Bridge TODAY despite it being reasonably quiet overnight, he’s warning people “anything could happen today”.
Little said Wellingtonians need to stay vigilant.
“It looks like the worst is over… but anything could happen today.”
Little said the rocky hillside where a lot of Wellington homes are located becomes porous once rain falls.
“The land gets waterlogged because the rain has to go somewhere.”
“70mm of rain an hour just could not be predicted, there are major damages, a lot of clean up still to happen… we just need to get through today and then look at long-term repair.”
Situation summary
- State of emergency declared for the Wellington region after intense, localized downpours caused flash flooding, slips and widespread disruption.
- Red heavy‑rain warnings for Wellington and Wairarapa remain in force, with forecasts of further heavy falls and short intense bursts that can rapidly worsen flooding on already saturated ground.
- Roads and transport are disrupted: a bridge washout on the Remutaka/SH2 route has cut South Wairarapa off from Wellington and several state highways and local roads are closed or operating under detours.
What’s happened so far (key facts)
- Severe localised downpours overnight submerged streets, washed away vehicles and caused slips that damaged houses in southern Wellington suburbs. Emergency services responded to many callouts and evacuations.
- Search and rescue activity: a search for a missing Karori man, Phillip/Phil Sutton, was paused overnight for safety and is due to resume when conditions allow.
- Community impacts: many schools are closed, evacuation centres are open, and welfare support is being coordinated by city and regional emergency teams.
Immediate risks and what to do now
- Floodwater and slips are the primary hazards — do not walk, swim or drive through floodwater; moving water and hidden debris make it lethal. If you see rising water, evacuate immediately rather than waiting for an official order.
- Hill‑slope instability: saturated, porous hillsides can fail quickly after heavy rain; if you live on or below steep ground, be ready to leave and watch for signs of small slips, new cracks or bulging retaining walls.
- Travel: avoid non‑essential travel. If you must drive, expect closures and detours (including SH2/Remutaka and SH58/SH53 areas) and follow NZTA/Waka Kotahi updates.
Practical steps and resources
- Move valuables off the floor and into watertight containers if you have time; prepare a grab bag with essentials.
- Check on neighbours (especially elderly or mobility‑limited people) if it is safe to do so. Stay away from parks, reserves and forested areas where slips and falling debris are likely.
- Follow official channels for real‑time warnings and road updates and go to designated evacuation centres if instructed.
Outlook
MetService and regional emergency managers warn that more heavy rain and thunderstorms are possible through tonight, and with the ground already saturated, even short intense bursts could produce new flooding and slips — the priority remains life safety and localised evacuation where needed.
