Next72Hours - Disaster and Emergency Preparedness

25/09/2025

22/09/2025

A local, self-taught software engineer has collaborated with Tairāwhiti Emergency Management and Gisborne District Council to implement an off‑grid communication network as a backup for emergencies. 👇

20/09/2025

When thunder roars, head indoors🏃‍♀️⚡️

On the afternoon of Thursday 18 September, the radar near Hokitika took a direct hit from lightning, causing significant damage to the radome (that’s the protective dome at the top of the tower).

Our radar towers are often the tallest object around, which is just what we need to get a great view of the weather, but it leaves them exposed to lightning strikes.

Don’t worry though, our meteorologists have plenty of tools to work with. We’ll continue monitoring conditions using satellite imagery, nearby radar sites, weather stations, and computer models to keep delivering accurate forecasts and severe weather warnings.

After a stormy week, Friday is looking more settled for the Westland area, but another burst of heavy rain is expected over the weekend. As always, keep up to date at: www.metservice.com/warnings

We’ll share updates on the radar restoration as soon as we know more.

Don’t end up like our radar, if you hear thunder, head indoors

20/09/2025

RED WIND WARNING - Morena Canterbury MetService have issued a Red Wind Warning for the high country, foothills and inland on the Canterbury plains. Please consider how these winds my impact you and your property and take action NOW to mitigate any impacts.

The rest of Canterbury is now under an Orange Warning, and we are still expecting warning amounts of rain in the head waters of our lakes and river. Please take extreme care this weekend with the significant weather impacts we're facing.

🔴💨Area: Canterbury about and west of the foothills, also west of SH1 south of the Rakaia River
Period: 17 hours from 10:00pm Sat 20 Sep to 3:00pm Sun 21 Sep
Forecast: Severe gale northwesterlies with damaging gusts of 150 km/h in exposed places.
Impact: Threat to life from flying items and falling trees. Destructive winds will cause widespread damage including powerlines and roofs, with dangerous driving conditions and significant disruption to transport and power supply.
Action: Stay indoors or seek sturdy shelter away from trees. Avoid travel. Be ready for power and communication outages.

🟠💨Area: Canterbury east of SH1 south of the Rakaia River, and away from the foothills further north
Period: 12 hours from 3:00am Sun 21 Sep to 3:00pm Sun 21 Sep
Forecast: Severe gale north to northwesterlies gusting 120 km/h in exposed places, especially about Banks Peninsula.
Low chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.

🟠🌧Area: Headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers
Period: 12 hours from 3:00am Sun 21 Sep to 3:00pm Sun 21 Sep
Forecast: Expect 120 to 180 mm of rain about the main divide, and 100 to 150 mm within 30 km farther east. Peak rates of 20 to 30 mm/h expected Sunday morning. Freezing level 2200 metres.
Minimal chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.
Impact: Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible.
Action: Clear your drains and gutters to prepare for heavy rain. Avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously.

20/09/2025

⚠️ Severe Weather Safety Advice – Please Read & Share ⚠️
Strong winds and heavy rain are forecast for the West Coast. Whether you’re at home or out exploring, take a few minutes to review these safety tips to help keep yourself and others safe.

🛡️ General Safety Advice:
• Secure loose items around your property
• Prepare for power outages
• Avoid flood-prone areas and postpone travel if possible, especially over alpine passes
• Stay off beaches and delay boating during peak swell

⛺ For Travellers & Campers (Saturday Night – Sunday Morning):
• Don’t park or camp near river mouths, beaches, or under trees
• Make sure you’re in a secure, weather-safe spot overnight
• Keep a torch, power bank, and emergency supplies handy
• Tell someone your plans and check in when safe

📲 Stay Informed. Stay Safe.
🔗 MetService: www.metservice.com/warnings/home

🔗 Road Conditions: www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/highway-conditions

Westland District Council - Te Kahui o Poutini Grey District Council Buller District Council West Coast Regional Council

19/09/2025

⚠️ The Canterbury region is under a red wind warning as severe gale force winds move in on much of the South Island.

Weather alerts are issued when the country is hit by bad or severe weather, but what do red, orange and yellow alerts actually mean?

Find out ⬇️

19/09/2025

Morning folks, here's the updated weather warnings from MetService. Please note the RED strong wind warning for parts of Canterbury including the Waitaki Valley.

NOW is the time to secure items around your home, prepare for power and communication outages and be ready to stay indoors for the duration of the warning.

Please stay up to date with forecasts: https://www.metservice.com/warnings/home -south

🔴STRONG WIND WARNING - RED 🔴

Area: Canterbury about and west of the foothills, also west of SH1 south of the Rakaia River
Period: 17 hours from 10:00pm Sat 20 Sep to 3:00pm Sun 21 Sep
Forecast: Severe gale northwesterlies with damaging gusts of 150 km/h in exposed places.
Impact: Threat to life from flying items and falling trees. Destructive winds will cause widespread damage including powerlines and roofs, with dangerous driving conditions and significant disruption to transport and power supply.
Action: Stay indoors or seek sturdy shelter away from trees. Avoid travel. Be ready for power and communication outages.

🟠 STRONG WIND WARNING - ORANGE🟠

Area: Queenstown Lakes, Central Otago and inland parts of North Otago, Dunedin and Clutha
Period: 8 hours from 12:00am Sun 21 Sep to 8:00am Sun 21 Sep
Forecast: Severe gale north to northwesterlies gusting 120 km/h in exposed places.
Minimal chance of upgrading to a Red Warning

Area: Canterbury east of SH1 south of the Rakaia River, and away from the foothills further north
Period: 12 hours from 3:00am Sun 21 Sep to 3:00pm Sun 21 Sep
Forecast: Severe gale north to northwesterlies gusting 120 km/h in exposed places, especially about Banks Peninsula.
Low chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.

Impact: Damage to trees, powerlines, and unsecured structures possible. Driving may be difficult, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.
Action: Prepare your property by securing items that can be picked up by strong winds. Drive cautiously.

🟠HEAVY RAIN WARNING - ORANGE🟠

Area: Headwaters of the Otago lakes and rivers
Period: 7 hours from 1:00am Sun 21 Sep to 8:00am Sun 21 Sep
Forecast: Expect 100 to 160 mm of rain about the main divide, and 80 to 120 mm within 20 km farther east. Peak rates of 15 to 25 mm/h expected about the divide. Freezing level 2200 metres.
Minimal chance of upgrading to a Red Warning

Area: Headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers
Period: 12 hours from 3:00am Sun 21 Sep to 3:00pm Sun 21 Sep
Forecast: Expect 120 to 180 mm of rain about the main divide, and 100 to 150 mm within 30 km farther east. Peak rates of 20 to 30 mm/h expected Sunday morning. Freezing level 2200 metres.
Minimal chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.

Impact: Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible.
Action: Clear your drains and gutters to prepare for heavy rain. Avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously.

Stay up to date with all State Highway conditions here: https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/highway-conditions

Waitaki District Council Dunedin City Council Clutha District Council Queenstown Lakes District Council Central Otago District Council Otago Regional Council

Image: Map of the South Island showing the red and orange warning areas.