Spring Creek

Spring Creek Evacuation Alert: What's Happening in Marlborough?

Find out why Spring Creek residents are being urged to evacuate in Marlborough due to rising river levels!

Spring Creek, a township near Blenheim, is currently under an evacuation alert as the Wairau River rises, prompting Civil Defence and iwi volunteers to go door-to-door urging 70 households to evacuate by 9 am Friday. Marlborough Civil Defence and Emergency Management is closely monitoring the situation, expressing concerns about the battered stopbank in Spring Creek. The weather forecast has brought a slight relief as the Wairau River has peaked at 1200 cubic metres per second.

In the north of the South Island, heavy rain and strong winds have led to road closures, power outages, and evacuations, with Marlborough Civil Defence advising 70 households to evacuate due to increased risks. Residents of Spring Creek were initially told to evacuate by 9 am the next day. Thankfully, the evacuation order has now been lifted, signaling a temporary respite.

As the weather system moves towards the North Island, the focus shifts to preparing for more extreme conditions. Despite the challenges faced by residents in Spring Creek, the worst of the weather seems to have passed, with heavy rain now making its way to the North Island. The Waiho River breaches alert levels, adding to the concerns of Marlborough Civil Defence regarding infrastructure safety.

The recent storms in the region have highlighted the vulnerability of stopbanks like the Peninsula Road, emphasizing the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure the safety of residents and properties in flood-prone areas. As residents in Marlborough brace for further weather disruptions, the importance of early warnings and swift evacuation procedures remains paramount.