How the National State of Emergency impacts Christchurch

The National State of Emergency declaration will apply to the six regions that have already declared a local State of Emergency: Northland, Auckland, Tairāwhiti, Bay of Plenty, Waikato, and Hawkes Bay.

The NEMA National Coordination Centre will now lead the response to the North Island Severe Weather event. The declaration will enable the Government to support the affected regions, provide additional resources as they are needed, and help set the priorities across the country for the response.

We are expecting some rain and strong winds as Christchurch and Banks Peninsula catches the tail of cyclone Gabrielle from today.

The latest forecast suggests in the period from early Wednesday through to midday Thursday, we can expect 20 to 40 mm over the city and north side of Banks Peninsula, 100 to 125 mm for south parts of Banks Peninsula, and 50 to 80 mm for west parts of Port Hills.

Southwest wind gusts of 80+ km/h for Port Hills and Banks Peninsula during Wednesday through to Thursday are also predicted.

MetService is also forecasting larger than normal swells for this afternoon and evening, so take care around coastal areas especially at high tide. 

We’re taking the usual precautions such as checking and clearing stormwater grates and making checks of our stormwater network ahead of the expected wet weather.  We will have staff and contractors ready to respond to any issues that might arise

Please refer to our wet weather and flooding website for further information.