26-05-2025
Nelson's day of deluge: Floodwaters swallow streets, toss cows, and ground flights
A sudden and intense deluge has transformed the city of
Nelson
into a scene of chaos, with streets resembling rivers, manholes erupting, and residents grappling with the aftermath of severe flooding.
Unprecedented rainfall
The city experienced an extraordinary 18mm of rain within a single hour at 9 am, followed by an additional 13.6mm between 10 am and 11 am. The Waimea Plains recorded 22mm in an hour, while the Lee River's trig station noted 27mm. This sudden influx overwhelmed the city's drainage systems, leading to water gushing from manholes at intersections like Rutherford and Bridge streets.
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Fire and Emergency New Zealand reported over 20 flooding incidents in central Nelson, primarily between Washington Rd and Bishopdale. Most cases involved water entering properties, prompting urgent responses from emergency services.
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The
Nelson City Council
has temporarily suspended the eBus service to assess route safety and accessibility. Residents are advised to delay travel, reduce speed if driving, and avoid flooded roads due to potential contamination and health risks.
Beyond infrastructure
The flooding's impact extends beyond infrastructure. Brittany Van de Waardt recounted her experience:
"[My husband] went to check on our neighbours, then the drains in the road to make sure they weren't blocked," she told
RNZ
. "That's when he saw the two cows in the river. The river is very high and rough at the moment, one of the cows looked to be deceased and was getting tumbledown the river. The other was alive but struggling. They were moving too fast for us to do anything. They were heading towards where the Brook Stream connects to the Maitai [River]."
The severe weather isn't isolated to Nelson. A severe thunderstorm watch is in place for Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Waitomo, and Taranaki from 5 am Monday to 6 am Tuesday. MetService warns of potential heavy downpours, posing risks of flooding, slips, and hazardous driving conditions.
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New Zealand sends emergency teams and aid to flood-hit Australia
Aviation challenges amidst the storm
The storm's reach affected air travel as well. Air New Zealand flight NZ417 from Auckland faced turbulent conditions, aborting its first landing attempt at Wellington Airport. Passengers described the experience as "hairy," with the plane shuddering and rolling before successfully landing on the second attempt.
Community response and safety precautions
Local authorities are actively monitoring the situation, urging residents to stay clear of floodwaters and avoid unnecessary travel. The community's resilience is evident as neighbors check on each other and report hazards, highlighting the importance of solidarity during such crises.
