Heavy Rain Threatens to Overwhelm North Waikato's Drainage Systems, Council Warns

As the remnants of Cyclone Gabrielle continue to impact New Zealand, the Waikato Regional Council has issued a stern warning about the potential for heavy rainfall to overwhelm drainage systems in the north of the region. With all of Waikato currently under a heavy rain warning or watch, and severe wind watches in place for certain areas, the council is urging residents to prepare for the worst.

Regional flood coordinator Rick Liefting explained that the heavy rain, expected to arrive early Tuesday morning, could exceed the design capacity of the region’s drainage schemes in the north. This could lead to surface water not being removed within the three-day level of service, potentially leaving landowners with the difficult task of moving livestock to higher ground or away from areas that may become isolated due to flooding.

“The Waikato region has had its fair share of rain over recent weeks,” Liefting said. “While the sunny weather over the past week has provided a welcome reprieve, our catchments remain saturated and river levels are still elevated. Any further rain will flow off the catchments and result in water courses rising quickly.”

The council emphasized that all land drainage schemes are currently operating as they should but are under significant pressure. Some systems may take longer than usual to drain water from paddocks, and localized heavy rain could lead to landslips, surface flooding, and rapid rises in water courses. The combination of saturated catchments and severe winds could also increase the likelihood of trees falling, particularly along the coasts.

“The forecast strong winds will cause coastal water levels to rise along with increased waves, likely causing some minor coastal impacts along the southern Firth of Thames and eastern Coromandel Peninsula coasts,” Liefting warned. “We are also monitoring long-range forecasts, as any further events will compound the impacts of this week’s rain.”

The council has been working closely with partner agencies, including civil defence emergency management, to ensure they are informed of the potential impacts of the heavy rain. Residents are encouraged to visit the council’s flood room website for real-time updates, including links to water level and rainfall data.

As the region braces for more wet weather, the council is urging residents to take the necessary precautions to protect themselves, their properties, and their livestock. With the threat of flooding and rising water levels, the coming days could be challenging for many in the north of Waikato.

For more information, visit the flood room website or sign up for the Ngā Pitopito Kōrero newsletter for daily updates from the editors.