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Flooding in Nelson: What you need to know

Monday 22 April 2013, 12:28PM

By NP Linked Taranaki

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NELSON

SOURCE: The Nelson Mail

LATEST: At least three families evacuated their homes following the record deluge that hit the Nelson Tasman region, and today an assessment and mopping up of the damage begins.

Tasman District Council has issued a boil water notice to Motueka residents on the reticulated system. Bore owners are also advised to boil water. Residents must boil drinking water for at least one minute for drinking water, food preparation, utensil washing, washing teeth, pets and ice making

Residents with mud and silt inundation on their property should take care when cleaning up because of the possibility of sewage contamination.

Take adequate precautions: use rubber gloves and boot and protective eye gear. Wash your hands and any wet parts of your body with soap and water afterwards. For full instructions, visitnelsontasmancivildefence.co.nz

Dovedale has experienced heavy rains and significant road inundation. Reports are confirmed that the main valley road and the Thorn Road Ford are heavily flooded and fast flowing. Residents are urged to avoid these areas.

Rabbit Island Reserve is closed due to flooding and the risk of winds toppling trees.In Richmond, the following parks and reserves are closed:

Easby Park Playground
Dellside Reserve, all access
All sportsgrounds
In Nelson city, Saxton Field is closed. There has been flooding within Saxton Stadium that may have damage to the hardwood floor.Nelson City Council staff is checking historic slip sites from the 2011 extreme rainfall event. Roading staff are working with contractors to assess damage to roads in the Stoke area where flooding was very heavy.

Nelson Bays police area commander Steve Greally said police evacuated a number of residents from the Stillwater Gardens rest home to the Richmond police station before they were moved to another wing at the home last night.

They also moved a group of campers from the Appleby River bed and were involved in managing road closures, redirecting motorists, and helping the stranded.

About 40 police were on duty, some of whom had flooded homes of their own, Mr Greally said.

Heavy rain falls continue in parts of region, particularly in the Tapawera area and roads are becoming inundated.

Residents are urged to stay off the roads. Drivers should also take care to avoid debris on Richmond and Stoke roads, plus missing manhole covers from stormwater systems.

If sandbags are required, residents should call their council customer service centre:

Nelson: 546 0200

Tasman: 543 8400


Nelson City Council's customer service centre is operating as normal. However, Tasman District Council has received some rain damage and the customer service area is open to walk in customers with urgent business only.

Priority is being given to incoming phone calls that are rain/flood related. Residents served by Tasman District are asked to defer 'business as usual' contact with the council until it returns to normal service levels tomorrow.

Countdown Stoke and Pak n Save Richmond have re-opened and are trading as normal this morning.

The Emergency Operations Centre at the TDC reconvened at 7am today, with priority given to damage assessment to infrastructure, CBD and businesses, residents and parks and reserves

Residents who have damage should in the first instance ring their insurers. If welfare assistance is needed, a welfare centre is open at Richmond New Life Centre, 85 Wensley Road, from 9.30am.

Rain is expected to continue all day with some change of strong bands of rain coming mid to late morning. If any road inundation remains or occurs again today, residents are asked to drive slowly through these areas so the bow waves from water do not rush into houses and businesses.

Water quality in the Richmond area is fine, but residents who have been inundated with muddy water are asked to not wash down the mud today to avoid affecting water quality.

ROAD CLOSURES

The bridge at Kina Beach Road is open with one lane.
Polglase Street in Richmond is closed
Aniseed Valley Road at 5KM marker is closed
Riwaka Valley Road is closed.
There is still surface flooding in many parts of Stoke and Richmond. Spokeswoman Angela Ricker said residents should drive slowly through inundated areas so the bow waves from water do not rush into houses and businesses.

Water quality in the Richmond area is fine, but residents who have been inundated with muddy water are asked to not wash down the mud today to avoid affecting water quality.

Nelson MP Nick Smith wil be briefing Cabinet today on the damage caused to the region by yesterday's weather bomb.

"I will be returning to Nelson immediately after Cabinet today to get an update on the damage and to ensure every effort possible is being made to support flood affected businesses and households." said Dr Smth.

''I encourage property owners to get in touch with my office if they need support in dealing with emergency needs or insurance claims.''

Civil Defence has a welfare centre at Richmond New Life Centre, 85 Wensley Rd. Immediate welfare needs can be addressed at the Richmond New Life Centre from 9.30am to 5pm. Welfare agencies will be based there.