West Coast Emergency Management

31/05/2026

The orange warning remains in place today. WCRC flood duty team are monitoring all West Coast rivers. We are seeing some response in river levels however these are not expected to cause concern at this stage. Please continue to take care if driving. The lastest MetService warning for Westland follows:

Area: Westland south of Hokitika
Period: 13hrs from 9:00am Monday to 10:00pm Monday
Forecast: On top of what has already fallen, expect 100 to 150 mm about the ranges, especially north of the glaciers, and 30 to 50 mm about the coast. Peak rates of 20 to 30 mm/h expected about the ranges. Thunderstorms possible.
Low 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.

Issued: 10:00am Monday, 1st June 2026
Next Update: 9:00pm Monday, 1st June 2026

31/05/2026

STILL MORE RAIN TO COME with updated forecasts below.
WESTLAND
Area: Westland south of Hokitika
Period: 26hrs from 8:00pm Sunday to 10:00pm Monday
Forecast: On top of the rain that has already fallen, expect 200 to 300 mm about the ranges, and 70 to 100 mm about the coast. Peak rates of 20 to 30 mm/h expected about the ranges. Thunderstorms possible from Monday morning.
Low 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.

BULLER
Area: Ranges of Buller
Period: 28hrs from 8:00pm Sunday to 12:00am Tuesday
Forecast: On top of what has already fallen, expect 120 to 160 mm of rain. Peak rates of 15 to 25 mm/h.
Low 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.
Issued: 8:48pm Sunday, 31st May 2026
Next Update: 10:00am Monday, 1st June 2026

30/05/2026

SUNDAY MORNING UPDATE.
The latest forecast update this morning is consistent with earlier ones. The rain has been slightly later arriving this morning. We will continue to monitor any developments. Please take care on the roads.

Area: Westland south of Hokitika

Period: 37hrs from 9:00am Sunday to 10:00pm Monday

Forecast: Expect 350 to 500 mm of rain about the ranges, and 100 to 150 mm of rain about the coast. Peak rates of 20 to 30 mm/h expected about the ranges. Thunderstorms possible from Monday morning.
Low 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.

Area: Ranges of Buller

Period: 36hrs from 12:00pm Sunday to 12:00am Tuesday
Forecast: Expect 200 to 300 mm of rain. Peak rates of 15 to 25 mm/h. Thunderstorms possible from Monday evening.
Low 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.

29/05/2026

Evening West Coasters, UPDATED FORECAST 8PM FRI 29 MAY.

As expected there are some changes to the forecast as we get closer to the arrival of the weather. Slightly less duration and rain volume in BULLER. Slightly more volume for WESTLAND. Stay tuned for updates tomorrow. We will be monitoring over the weekend.

Area: Ranges of Buller
Period: 36hrs from noon Sun, 31 May - midnight Mon, 1 Jun
Forecast: Expect 200 to 300 mm of rain. Peak rates of 15 to 25 mm/h expected from Sunday night with thunderstorms possible. Low 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.

Area: Westland south of Hokitika
Period: 42hrs from 2:00am Sunday to 8:00pm Monday
Forecast: Expect 400 to 500 mm of rain about the ranges, and 100 to 150 mm of rain about the coast. Peak rates of 20 to 30 mm/h expected on Sunday about the ranges. Thunderstorms possible.
Low 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.

28/05/2026

Sorry West Coasters but it looks like our fine run of weather is coming to an end this weekend. Please stay tuned for updates as they become available.

Situation
A trough embedded in a humid northerly air flow is expected to bring heavy rain to northern and western parts of the South Island from Sunday. Please keep up to date with the latest forecasts as the trough is likely to bring heavy rain to the northern half of the North Island from Monday and more warnings are likely to be issued in the coming days.
Heavy Rain Warning - Orange

Area: Ranges of Buller
Period: 39hrs from 9:00am Sunday to 12:00am Tuesday
Forecast: Expect 250 to 350 mm of rain. Peak rates of 15 to 25 mm/h expected from Sunday afternoon with thunderstorms possible.
Low 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.

Area: Westland south of Hokitika
Period: 42hrs from 2:00am Sunday to 8:00pm Monday
Forecast: Expect 350 to 450 mm of rain about the ranges, and lesser amounts nearer the coast. Peak rates of 20 to 30 mm/h expected on Sunday about the ranges. Thunderstorms possible. Freezing level about 3000 metres.
Low 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.

Issued: 10:05am Friday, 29th May 2026
Next Update: 9:00pm Friday, 29th May 2026

08/05/2026

For those affected (Hokitika south to Paringa) keep an eye on the Westpower FB for updates.
Take care all it's been a rough couple days of weather.

07/05/2026

Don't put your raincoats away yet, there is more rain and wind on the way!

The west and north of the South Island is in for a double dose of heavy rain to end the week, as a front moves over the region today, followed by a rapidly deepening low pressure system during Friday and Saturday.

Heavy Rain Warnings have been issued for the northern and western South Island (excluding Fiordland), with Heavy Rain Watches for Southland and Taranaki Maunga.

Strong Wind Warnings have been issued for Taranaki, Wellington, and parts of Marlborough and the Canterbury High Country. Strong Wind Watches are in place for Taihape, inland Whanganui, Buller, Grey, northern Westland, and northern Fiordland.

Parts of Westland District, and the headwaters of the Otago and southern Canterbury lakes and rivers, have already seen 50 to 100 mm of rain since midnight last night, and can expect further heavy rain until this evening (Thursday).

Yet another round of heavy rain is set to arrive in these regions Friday afternoon and continue into Saturday. Further warnings are likely to be issued for this event, and for the ranges of Westland District the total rainfall for Thursday through Saturday is expected to reach 500 to 600 mm.

For the Grey and Buller districts, the heavy rain is expected to fall from today until Friday evening, with parts of Nelson and Marlborough joining suit from this evening.

If you are in a region under a Heavy Rain Warning, and it is safe to do so, clear your drains and gutters to prepare for heavy rain. In general, avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously.

Strong winds are expected as the low pressure system crosses the South Island and its associated fronts sweep over the North Island on Friday and Saturday. Taranaki, Wellington, Marlborough southeast of the Awatere River, and the Canterbury High Country north of the Rangitata River can all expect severe gale north to northwesterlies in exposed places, with gusts of 130 to 140 km/h. For Taranaki and Marlborough, the risk is on Friday from 3pm to midnight, while Wellington and the Canterbury High Country will see the winds stick around until Saturday morning.

If you’re in an area covered by a Strong Wind Warning, prepare your property by securing items that can be picked up by strong winds. If you need to drive, drive cautiously.

Those strong winds will also drive heavy swell into some marine areas. Combined waves of 4 to 5 metres are expected for the west coast on Friday, rising above 6 metres in the south Saturday and spreading to most areas of the country exposed to the south on Sunday.

06/05/2026

Severe Weather Warnings
Heavy rain for the north and west of the South Island
A front moves northwards over the South Island during today and Thursday, bringing heavy rain to western and northern parts of the Island.
Note, an active low pressure system is expected to move over the South Island during Friday and Saturday, bringing more heavy rain and possibly severe gales.
Please keep up to date with forecasts as more Warnings and Watches will likely be issued in the coming days.
Area: Buller District

Period: 32hrs from 9am Thu, 7 May - 5pm Fri, 8 May

Forecast: Expect 200 to 300 mm of rain about the ranges, and lesser amounts near the coast. Peak rates of 15 to 25 mm/h expected during Friday with thunderstorms possible. Low 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. Preparedness advice.

Area: Westland District

Period: 24hrs from 6pm Wed, 6 May - 6pm Thu, 7 May

Forecast: Expect 200 to 300 mm of rain about the ranges, and lesser amounts near the coast. The largest accumulations are likely about and south of the glaciers, where some models indicate 350 mm is possible about the ranges. Peak rates of 25 to 35 mm/h expected during Thursday with thunderstorms possible. Note, another period of heavy rain is expected from Friday afternoon. Low 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. Preparedness advice.

Area: Fiordland north of Doubtful Sound

Period: 21hrs from noon Wed, 6 May - 9am Thu, 7 May

Forecast: Expect 140 to 180 mm of rain, especially north of George Sound. Peak rates of 15 to 25 mm/h expected Thursday morning with thunderstorms possible. Note, another period of heavy rain is expected from Friday afternoon. 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. Preparedness advice.

04/05/2026

🌧️Heavy Rain for the West Coast🌧️

1️⃣🌧️The first of two systems is set to effect the west coast from later tomorrow (Wednesday) through Thursday. With an 🟧Orange Heavy Rain Warning🟧 for the West Coast Ranges, with lesser amounts toward the coast. A few 🟡Yellow Heavy Rain Watches🟡 in other areas.

2️⃣🌧️A brief reprieve later on Thursday and early Friday before the next system makes it's way over on Friday and Saturday. Severe Weather warnings for this second system will be issued closer to the time, but you can check our severe weather outlook here: http://bit.ly/SWOutlook

Check out the full details here: http://bit.ly/AllWarnings

17/04/2026

NZTA have posted some road closures for Buller. Please keep up to date via their website.

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