26 August, 2024: Porirua flooding updates

26 August, 2024: Flooding updatesUPDATE 4.10pm: Grays Road will remain closed overnight. All other roads are open at this stage and the rain seems to be abating. Please be careful travelling out there. There is rain forecast overnight, so Porirua City Council staff and Wellington Water teams will be monitoring trouble spots.

Please call our contact centre on 04 237 5089 if there are flooding or other issues that need addressing due to the weather.

UPDATE 1.30pm: Wellington Electricity is carrying out emergency works to a power pole located outside 6 Paekākāriki Hill Road. There are concerns the heavy rain may negatively affect the pole. Wellington Electricity’s contractors have been onsite to assess whether they could carry out the work without turning off the power. However, unfortunately they will need to de-energise the lines to carry out the emergency replacement.

There will be a power outage from around 2pm affecting 88 houses – approximately 6 to 140 Paekākāriki Hill Road. The outage will last for 4 – 6 hours.

UPDATE 12.15pm there is residents access to Paekākāriki Hill Rd.
UPDATE 12.00 midday: There is a lot of flooding and high waters in the Pāuatahanui area. Please be wary of any travel in this part of the city. Battle Hill Farm Forest Park is currently closed.

UPDATE 11.55am: Wellington Water was on site from early this morning to activate the pump at Karehana Bay, Plimmerton. The grate on Karehana Stream has been lifted to allow more water to get out. For safety reasons Wellington Water crews are on hand. A second pump has been deployed as we approach high tide at around 2pm.

We ask residents to please prioritise safety and be reassured that crews are on hand to do the work needed.

UPDATE 11.25am: Airlie Rd is impassable right now. Avoid the area. See photo above.

UPDATE 10.50am: SH58 between Joseph Banks Dr and James Cook Dr is now CLOSED due to a slip. There is also some serious flooding in the Pauatahanui area, please avoid this part of Porirua if you can.

UPDATE 9.52am: Following a request from Police, Paekākāriki Hill Rd is being closed due to slips on the Kāpiti side. Closure will be from number 1142.

UPDATE 9.40am: Grays Rd is now closed due to surface flooding

UPDATE 9.20am: While the rain is easing, we could be getting up to 40mm more in the next 6 hours. Please stay off the roads if you can, especially SH58, which isn't a great road to be driving right now! High tide is 2.19pm, which is obviously something we will be wary of.

Wellington Water and PCC crews are out and about, clearing trouble areas.

UPDATE 8.05: We're getting word trains north of Porirua aren't running due to a slip. There are bus replacements. Check Metlink for updates.

It's wet out there, folks.

Please take extra care if you're driving as there is surface flooding is likely - flooding has been reported in Whitby and Porirua East, along with the Judgeford area too.

Only drive out there if necessary. Flooding teams are out where they can be.

You can report any issues to our contact centre on 04 237 5089 (but be aware the lines may be quite busy!).WREMO advice:For the public:Stay inside and don't drive unless absolutely necessary. Bring pets inside with you.If you see rising flood water, evacuate to higher ground immediately. Do not wait for an official warning.Never try to walk, play, swim, or drive in floodwater: even water just 30cm deep can sweep you off your feet, and half a metre of water will carry away most vehicles.If possible, clear leaves and debris from external drains to help prevent surface flooding. Tie down or bring inside any outdoor furniture that strong winds could pick up or break.Follow MetService New Zealand for the latest weather information.For commuters :Please plan your commute accordingly, as a heavy burst of rain is expected again this evening during peak travel hours.As this heavy rain burst is possible during peak commuting time, Wellington Region Emergency Management encourages commuters to plan ahead of their commute this afternoon.Heavy rain during the afternoon/evening commute period may cause disruptions to the network, surface flooding and congestion.People can keep up to date on public transport via Metlink and the State Highway network through NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi - Wellington

For the latest information on road closures follow NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi - Wellington

LAWA advice:

With heavy rain forecast until 6pm, the risk of wastewater overflows goes up. That’s why LAWA advises you to not swim in the two to three days following heavy rainfall.

If you’re not sure if it’s safe to swim, always check LAWA.co.nz.

Why? It’s because heavy rain increases the chance of excess stormwater entering the wastewater network, which it doesn’t have capacity for. Wastewater should only come from the plumbing inside your house, and stormwater from your roof and garden should either soak to land or go into the separate stormwater pipes, that usually go out to the road.

26 Aug 2024