Buller Emergency Management

04/06/2026

A complex trough is expected to move eastwards across the North Island and upper South Island from Thursday night to early Saturday, bringing periods of heavy rain and possible squally thunderstorms. Please keep up to date with the latest forecasts.

This may cause localised surface flooding, adverse driving and road conditions. Creeks and streams may rise rapidly, caution is advised.
West Coast Emergency Management and our partner agencies will continue to monitor during the day.

Area: Buller and the Tasman Ranges
Period: 13hrs from 7:00am Friday to 8:00pm Friday
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain and possible thunderstorms, and amounts may approach warning criteria.
Moderate chance of upgrading to a Warning.

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 updated forecast for Buller follows.
Area: Ranges of Buller
Period: 15hrs from 9:00am Monday to 12:00am Tuesday
Forecast: On top of what has already fallen, expect 90 to 120 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: 10:00am Monday, 1st June 2026
Next Update: 9:00pm Monday, 1st June 2026

31/05/2026

Hey BULLER, The Orange Warning has been updated and remains in place. Still a bit more rain to come for us.....

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

08/05/2026

ADVICE to FREEDOM CAMPERS....... Campers in the freedom camping area on the Strand in Reefton are being asked to move to a safer location due to high river levels and on-going heavy rain. Freedom campers across Buller are advised to consider the safety of their campsite especially if near rivers or the foreshore. West Coast rivers and streams can rise rapidly in response to heavy rain.

07/05/2026

Good morning, Buller, another wet day I’m afraid.

The Met Service have updated the orange warning in place for Buller. Note that peak rates are quite high at 20-30mm/hr. At those levels you will see surface flooding from stormwater and some of our creeks rise rapidly.
Jones Creek in Northern Buller and the highway in that area was impacted by flooding and debris overnight, but the road is currently open. However road crews are continuing to monitor as further impacts are possible. The heavier falls for today are forecasted for mid-afternoon onwards so care should be taken if you are travelling through this area. Care should be taken while driving as heavy downpours can cause localised impacts such as slips at any time on other roads. Check NZTA for latest updates.
https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/highway-conditions/west-coast

Heavy Rain Warning - Orange
Area: Buller District
Period: 10hrs from 9:00am Friday to 7:00pm Friday
Forecast: On top of the rain that has already accumulated, expect 100 to 130 mm about the ranges, and lesser amounts near the coast. Peak rates of 20 to 30 mm/h expected during this afternoon with thunderstorms possible. Note, heavy showers are expected to continue into Saturday 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.

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 Update🟧🌧️

1️⃣🌧️The first of two weather systems in the next few days is tracking onto the bottom of the South Island today, with heavy rain spreading north. The heaviest rain is set to fall about the ranges, with lesser amounts toward the coasts.

2️⃣🌧️A brief reprieve for the west coast before the next system on Friday, so stay tuned for any Watches and Warnings for that one.

Get the full details here: http://bit.ly/AllWarnings

17/04/2026

SH67 GRANITY TO WAIMANGAROA - SLIP - FINAL UPDATE 1PM

State Highway 67 has RE-OPENED between Granity and Waimangaroa. Taker extra care through the area; temporary speed limits are in place.
-----

8:45AM, SAT 18 APR

The road is now CLOSED, due to slips between Granity and Waimangaroa.

Avoid the area and delay your journey as there is no detour available. ^AP

16/04/2026

⚠ Orange heavy rain warning update – Buller District: 4 pm Friday 17 Apr - 9 am Saturday 18 April

West Coast Emergency Management (WCEM) is continuing to work closely with councils and agencies to monitor the heavy rain due overnight.

The latest from MetService advises rain warnings continue for Buller and Westland ranges. The Buller warning period is through to late afternoon today until 9 am tomorrow morning.

🌧 Buller District Council and West Coast Emergency Management are working together in relation to the current weather event.

The Buller Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) is in monitoring phase, and a West Coast Emergency Management staff member is assisting the Buller District Council team.

Members of the public are advised to:
📍Check gutters and drains are clear and free from debris and leaves.
📍 Avoid contact with stormwater as it may be contaminated with wastewater
📍 If there is a threat to life or property, call 111.
📍 Filled sandbags available from Pearson Contracting at 200 Derby Street, near Carters, in Westport.

💻 For up-to-date information, see:
The Buller and West Coast Emergency Management pages:
👉 https://www.facebook.com/BullerCD
👉 https://www.facebook.com/emergencywestcoast

The West Coast Emergency Management website:
🖱 www.westcoastemergency.govt.nz
🖱 NZTA’s website for road closures: www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/highway-conditions
🖱 MetService for up-to-date weather conditions: www.metservice.com/warnings/home

26/03/2026

Strong Wind Watch - Yellow

Area: Buller
Period: 23hrs from 1:00pm Thursday to 12:00pm Friday
Forecast: Northeast winds may approach severe gale, especially north of Hector.
High chance of upgrading to a Warning.
Impact: Damage to trees, powerlines, and unsecured structures possible. Driving may be difficult, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.
Action: Prepare your property by securing items that can be picked up by strong winds. Drive cautiously.

Area: Westland coast south of Wanganui River
Period: 10hrs from 2:00am Friday to 12:00pm Friday
Forecast: Northeast winds may approach severe gale in exposed places.
Moderate chance of upgrading to a Warning.

Issued: 9:58am Thursday, 26th March 2026
Next Update: 9:00pm Thursday, 26th March 2026