A state of local emergency was declared on 10 July after heavy rainfall caused severe flooding across the Nelson Tasman region in New Zealand.
Approximately 800 homes have been damaged. Over 3,000 people were left without electricity, and multiple cell sites remain inoperable. Schools and nurseries have been forced to close, while agriculture has suffered significant losses due to destroyed crops. At this time, no deaths have been reported.
The flooding has also severely impacted infrastructure. Fifty roads remain closed, and a water tanker has been stationed in Kaiteriteri following a pipeline break that cut off the community’s water supply. Widespread wastewater overflows have affected the district, and residents have been advised to treat all surface water as contaminated. Significant efforts are underway to reach isolated communities, particularly Tapawera.
Residents are now assessing the damage, and the government has indicated that cleanup and restoration will take months.
