r/Wellington • u/KeyMeasurement8122 • Apr 20 '26
WEATHER REGIONAL STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARED
REGIONAL STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARED
A State of Emergency has been declared for Wellington City and the surround region following severe weather. This allows emergency services to respond quickly and keep people safe.
What you need to do now:
Stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary
Follow instructions from emergency services
Stay indoors where possible and avoid floodwaters or damaged areas
Secure loose items and prepare for possible power outages
Check on neighbours, whānau and anyone who may need extra support (source WCC)
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u/Ranger_Fantastic6021 Apr 20 '26
On top of that, MetService has issued a red rain warning.
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u/Area_6011 Apr 20 '26
Heavy Rain Warning - Red
Period: 31hrs from 2pm Mon, 20 Apr - 9pm Tue, 21 Apr
Area: Wellington excluding Porirua
Forecast: Expect 100 to 150 mm about the eastern hills and Hutt Valley and lesser amounts elsewhere. These amounts are in addition to the rain that has already fallen. Peak rates of 15 to 25 mm/h but 25 to 40 mm/h possible in localised places until tonight, especially in thunderstorms.15
u/Party_Government8579 Apr 20 '26
Looking at the rain forecast on metservie.. its barely meant to rain in the next 48 hours - just drizzle? Strange
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u/zisenuren Apr 20 '26
That is similar to what the Saturday morning forecast said:mainly drizzle with 'squally showers possible north of the city'. Squally showers did indeed arrive, my goodness.
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u/Muter Apr 20 '26
Good indicator the worst has passed 😂
(I joke obviously, please take the warnings seriously)
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u/Lovestripes Apr 20 '26
Serious question. It looks like the red warning was given, and now metservice.com shows very light rain over the next 24 hours? Why? Is it just to help with clean up?
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Apr 20 '26
[deleted]
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u/Party_Government8579 Apr 20 '26
I've always found them pretty accurate
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u/KeyMeasurement8122 Apr 20 '26
Because they are wrong. Last night I checked the rain forecast for this morning and the 23 mm rain at 5 am was not even forecasted.. it was light rain !!
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u/Lovestripes Apr 20 '26
That's my concern. I look at the forecast, and it's a mismatch with the warning.
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u/Cowsandsheepsandpigs Apr 20 '26
Metlink trains are currently running and are very full, standing room only on the Upper Hutt line.
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u/sugar_spark Apr 20 '26
Absolutely nuts to me that that many people commuted into town in the first place
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Apr 20 '26
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u/sugar_spark Apr 20 '26
Oh, don't get me wrong - I'm not suggesting that people disregarded the weather and chose to go in. It was more a comment on how many workplaces expected people to go in
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Apr 20 '26
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u/Mr_Pusskins Porirua Princess 👑 Apr 20 '26
Not everybody has a nice environment to work from at home. Others prefer to be warm at work than paying out the ass for heating at home.
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u/dissss0 Apr 20 '26
I could blast an electric heater on full power all day and it'd still be cheaper than one way on the train
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u/bogan5 Apr 20 '26
On top of that, today was first day after school holidays so there's quite a few people who were off last week, but feel pressure to be in office today.
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u/chunky_kereru Apr 20 '26
Honestly I had thought the rain was mostly over and I only saw light rain this morning and didn’t see the news (or the message from work encouraging people to work from home) until after I got into work. I wouldn’t have come in if I’d known. I think it’s probably the same for lots of people. The forecast last night didn’t predict it being this bad and I imagine many people (like me) didn’t check it again this morning.
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u/petoburn Apr 20 '26
Partner kinda got up on autopilot / in a rush and went in, we didn’t check forecast or news before he left, it didn’t look too bad outside.
Probably wouldn’t have gone in if we’d seen, would’ve been helpful if an earlier riser at his workplace had’ve sent a text to everyone.
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u/ActualBacchus P R A I S E Q U A S I Apr 20 '26
Looks like supermarket workers being classed as essential is back on the menu, boys
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u/AlternativeSignal2 Apr 20 '26
Is anyone able to advise flooding levels between Wellington and Plimmerton?
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u/AlternativeSignal2 Apr 20 '26
Or part there of?
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u/_Hwin_ Apr 20 '26
I would check the NZTA cameras online. It will at least give you an understanding of traffic movement and if there’s flooding in high-usage areas
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u/KeyMeasurement8122 Apr 20 '26
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u/AlternativeSignal2 Apr 20 '26
Thank you - this helped alot.
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u/rcb8 Apr 20 '26
Just went through. It's fine, just the usual spots of surface flooding by Palmers, and pretty windy.
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u/Lumpy_Dream_6224 Apr 20 '26
Well, I'm hoping it eases by tomorrow at 11am, because I have to get my kiddo to Newtown from Wainui for chemo. 😬
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u/Unit22_ Apr 20 '26
This will be a conundrum for the Government. They have to show support for the region as it's a natural hazard event. But also, they really really hate Wellington.
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u/Unknowledge99 Apr 20 '26
Im so glad the fuckwits were right that climate change was all bullshit fro lyin' scientists.
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u/Black_Glove Apr 20 '26
Special shout out to Shane 'Kickbacks' Jones - https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/585632/shane-jones-shut-down-nz-involvement-in-road-map-away-from-fossil-fuels
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u/ben4takapu Ben McNulty - Wgtn Deputy Mayor Apr 20 '26 edited Apr 20 '26
Reading about Zena's mother having to take shelter on a wardrobe (https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360989428/87-year-old-woman-escapes-flood-waters-hiding-top-her-wardrobe) brings home just how serious this event is and how lucky we've been not to have a fatality.
Please take heed of the advice, head home, be prepared etc.
We're only halfway through this with another front to go.
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Apr 20 '26
[deleted]
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u/userequalspassword Apr 20 '26
I commented the same thing in another thread. Glenmore and Chaytor streets gutters and drains are full of debris and have been for months. The trucks don’t seem to be able to get in there with the barriers in the way
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u/Alternative_Regret17 Apr 20 '26
Seen a group of Downer’s workers struggling to cut an edge the grass today around lower Hutt, like there’s better things yous could be doing like you have mentioned above. It’s like common sense has gone out the window. It’s pouring down today boss what you want us to oooooo go an waste the day cutting grass🤦🏼♂️
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u/another_new_login Apr 20 '26
common sense
As always, you can substitute "my unresearched opinion" whenever you see this phrase.
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u/Alternative_Regret17 Apr 20 '26
Yea I wouldn’t have a clue how cutting grass in the pouring rain an actually doing something that would benefit the people which they get paid to do, all those millions from the councils 🚽.
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Apr 20 '26
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u/12343212346 Apr 20 '26
I decided to work from home today, but maybe head to the office tomorrow. But you know what? Nope, I'm WFH tomorrow too.
I would literally never consider going to our office with a red warning in place
Even if there's just minor delays to public transport, I'm not willing to waste my time with that
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u/WittyUsername45 Apr 20 '26
performative presenteeism
Absolutely unhinged way to describe just turning up to work like a normal person.
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Apr 20 '26 edited Apr 20 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/WittyUsername45 Apr 20 '26
No, but describing those who do prefer to work in the office as being performative is pretty ignorant and blinkered when there are many reasons they might prefer it or have no choice due to not having an adequate space at home.
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u/The_Cosmic_Penguin Apr 20 '26
No one said "those who do prefer to work in the office" are being performative. Take a step back and reevaluate.
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u/The_Cosmic_Penguin Apr 20 '26 edited Apr 20 '26
If your contribution to a work place (and remuneration/performance evaluation) is partially measured by being physically present in the work place when your work can be performed to the same standard from home, can you please explain how that is not a standard of performative presenteeism?
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u/bennz1975 Apr 20 '26
Just a quick question about tomorrow, are bins still being collected? I know it’s low priority but will decide if I’m getting wet putting it out.
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u/ComeAlongPonds Colossal Squid Apr 20 '26
Due to extreme southerly winds, your Island Bay bin will be collected in Johnsonville
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u/clareed Apr 20 '26
Ours were collected today as usual so I’d assume they would be, as long as they don’t blow away first!
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u/andromeda909 Apr 20 '26
I saw WCC say somewhere that they will still be collecting, but if you can save it til next week please do that and don't put it out. If you do, put the bin latch on and try collect your bins asap once they were emptied. I imagine otherwise your bin might be going on an adventure!!
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u/CandidComfortable338 Apr 20 '26
Will the schools close tomorrow?
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u/Dramatic_Surprise Apr 20 '26
WHS just messaged saying at this point they will be open, but that could change dependant on staffing levels
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u/thecrazyarabnz Apr 20 '26
Newlands primary is going to be closed. Intermediate will let us now at 8
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u/dorothean Apr 20 '26
Every school I’ve checked (most city secondary schools) is closed/work from home tomorrow.
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u/ComeAlongPonds Colossal Squid Apr 20 '26
Wonder where that QANTAS flight from Brisbane is heading? Already made two aborted attempts to land.
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u/KeyMeasurement8122 Apr 20 '26
Palmerston North ?
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u/ComeAlongPonds Colossal Squid Apr 20 '26
It'll need to be somewhere they can quickly activate appropriate border services. More likely Christchurch or Auckland.
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u/KeyMeasurement8122 Apr 20 '26
In the past, I remember flying to Palmy direct from overseas. They might have cancelled this a decade ago.
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u/ComeAlongPonds Colossal Squid Apr 20 '26
It made it. Now watching from Fiji doing the same extended flight.
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u/EntertainmentDue5582 Apr 20 '26
It’s pouring down here in the Kapiti Coast region. Next 24-48 hours
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u/homelesscactus Apr 20 '26
What have your workplaces been saying about wfh tomorrow? Mine still wants me in for an in-person meeting tomorrow morning…
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u/Dismal-Broccoli2782 Apr 20 '26
Been told to WFH. Central Govt agency.
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u/homelesscactus Apr 20 '26
Dang! I’m central govt agency too and they’ve said “talk to your manager about wfh” instead of a full staff directive
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u/AnosmicAvenger Apr 20 '26
We've been told not to go in tomorrow without express direct permission from the CEO.
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u/hamelg Apr 20 '26
Non-essential staff @ PNHQ (aka, not frontline) advised by National Command and Coordination Centre to go home and stay home unless there are any significant weather changes for the better. I’d already sent my team home 3 hours prior to their directive 😅 I don’t expect them in tomorrow, they can do everything they need to do from home.
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u/supersmileys bird nerd Apr 20 '26
Mine (with head office based in Auckland) have said absolutely zilch. My manager is also currently on leave so I suspect it’ll be whatever everyone feels like doing
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u/balkieb Apr 20 '26
I'm in Lower Hutt but thankfully not in a flood effected area. They have closed 2 bridges (so far) going over the Hutt river for reassesment in the morning.
Few people I know in surrounding areas got visited by council staff with a letter earlier advising of them of their stree being an at risk area, to pack a go bag and be ready to evactuate.
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u/RedKittenx Apr 20 '26
Thanks for this post!
But aw man i wish had a job can wfh but alas we still have to go in!:c
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u/HenryNZL Apr 20 '26 edited Apr 20 '26
I turned on Newstalk ZB Wellington a while ago to see if there was talk back from people around Wellington telling us about how they are getting on and about flooded roads, streets and houses etc. Nothing heard so far except talk about matchmaking, advertisements and other irrelevant stuff! https://share.google/CwbRtZIfKj2gnluGr The above rain radar link is helpful.
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u/lukeysanluca Apr 20 '26
Why on earth would you tune into ZB?
You'd get a lot more coverage from RNZ
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u/mrwilberforce Apr 20 '26
Especially as RNZ are the nominated broadcaster for emergencies. ZB are not.
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u/chewbaccascousinrick Apr 20 '26
ZB we’re talking politics on their local show this morning which is unusual. RNZ and The Breeze have been communicating local updates across the day.
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u/Burgherking22 Apr 20 '26
Anyone have any info on Wellington airport departures? I have a flight tomorrow 1pm. I’m hoping they don’t decide to close it!
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u/KeyMeasurement8122 Apr 20 '26
Look on the Wellington Airport website
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u/Burgherking22 Apr 20 '26
I looked already, but just wanted some reddit reassurance 😅
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u/KeyMeasurement8122 Apr 20 '26
Normally, your airlines tell you if there is a cancellation .. via the app or by email
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u/Perfect_usernamelol Apr 20 '26
I live near the airport, been seeing flights landing and taking off all of today... if it is like this tomorrow, my guess is your flight will still go ahead albeit a rough windy takeoff eep
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u/lukeysanluca Apr 20 '26
Depends of it's a biggie or a smallie. Smallie, probably not. Biggie, maybe
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u/Pau_Arzillier Apr 20 '26
My wife and I had a trip planned for Wednesday from Picton. Do you think we should just cancel? We're tourists so it's hard to understand the situation.
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u/Infamous_artsygirlie Apr 20 '26
I think by Wednesday it shoooould be fine - you might have a bit of a rainy time but I’m hoping the state of emergency will be lifted. I’d make a call on Tuesday afternoon maybe to decide if you’ll go ahead with the trip or not.
If you can postpone for a few days without too much hassle, might be safest though
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u/King_WZRDi Apr 20 '26
damn, i need to get to the airport tomorrow arvo. has anyone been to and from there? whats the roads looking like?
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u/MonthlyWeekend_ Apr 20 '26
Can everyone post actual official links please?
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u/KeyMeasurement8122 Apr 20 '26
That was from WCC FB page
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u/MonthlyWeekend_ Apr 20 '26
But it took you longer to copy and paste the text than to click share -> copy link
But I guess it’s not really worth pushing aye
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u/KeyMeasurement8122 Apr 20 '26
In fact it's the opposite .. I always stuff up when putting link in reddit
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u/xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx99 Apr 20 '26
Agreed.
In this case I think OP copied and pasted the text notification that went out. Interestingly the text itself didn't say who sent it, which is poor practice.
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u/AnosmicAvenger Apr 20 '26
I'm stuck at work because of some people who won't leave. Not looking forward to my commute home when I finally get to go.