Napier CBD Floods – Residents Urged To Limit Use Of Toilets And Showers To Avoid Stormwater Contamination

Napier residents are urged to limit the use of toilets, showers and washing machines to prevent polluted stormwater from flowing into the Ahuriri estuary.

The district had 53.2mm of rain on Monday, and another 34.7mm is expected to fall through midnight.

A spokeswoman for the Napier City Council urged the public to flush the toilet only when necessary and avoid the use of showers, dishwashers and washing machines to prevent stormwater from overflowing into the Ahuriri estuary.

“If an emergency discharge is carried out, this should prevent the sewage from backing up and overflowing onto city streets and properties,” he said.

“Toilets, showers, dishwashers and washing machines drain into the city’s sewage network, which is also affected by stormwater infiltration.

Heavy rains, thunderstorms and even hail are forecast to linger across the region through midweek, with up to 130mm of rain expected to fall in some areas of Hawke’s Bay.

By mid-afternoon Monday, surface flooding was evident on several highways and highways in the region.

A spokeswoman for the Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency – Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne encouraged drivers to turn on their headlights, slow down, increase following distances and drive according to weather conditions to be prepared for unexpected hazards.

MetService meteorologist Rob Kerr says the extensive low-pressure system currently on the North Island is expected to remain until it is pushed east by a high-pressure ridge.

“From now until later Wednesday, parts of the North Island will see heavy rain or showers, with thunderstorms and possible hail, while strong winds or gales from south to southeast will affect the lower North Island,” he said.

Kerr said the main area of ​​concern is the Hawke’s Bay and southern Gisborne ranges.

There is a heavy rain warning for those areas, with 100mm to 130mm of rain expected to accumulate in the ranges from Te Haroto southward, with 70 to 100mm elsewhere.

The warning began at 10 a.m. on Monday and is in effect until 11 p.m.

Peak intensities are expected from Monday afternoon, when hourly rates could reach 25-40mm / h in thunderstorms.

“This is a lot of rain in a short period and isolated showers could cause the totals to exceed that range,” Kerr added.

Hawke’s Bay Civil Defense Emergency Management Group manager Ian Macdonald warned that heavy rains can cause streams and rivers to swell rapidly, with the potential for surface flooding and landslides. Driving conditions can be dangerous.

“It’s always good for anyone who drives to be especially careful on days like this and watch the weather forecast,” he said.

“As little as 12 inches of water can cause people to lose control of their vehicles, so the usual precautions apply: slow down, drive as conditions, and stay safe.”

The northbound lane of State Highway 2 near Tangoio was blocked Monday morning after a logging truck slid into a roadside ditch.

Emergency services were called for the accident around 8:09 a.m. Monday, but no one was injured.

Surface flooding also caused Mohaka Township Rd, Mohaka, to close at the intersection of Nakis Rd on Monday afternoon.

NCC said Kennedy Rd, at the intersection of State Highway 2 and Downing Ave, was also closed from 4 p.m. due to severe flooding.

Eastern District Police said surface flooding was causing multiple problems with vehicles “ breaking down ” while driving through water.

Police asked the public to keep vehicular traffic to a minimum until the floods subsided.

A New Zealand Fire and Emergency spokesperson said a tree had fallen on a caravan in Bluff Hill, Napier, due to weather at 2.32pm on Monday.

Kerr said a “new flurry of heavy rain” can be expected in Hawke’s Bay on Wednesday before the low recedes.

The Hastings District Council and the Central Hawke Bay District Council said they had not experienced any weather-related issues.