Hundreds of people in Nelson in Aotearoa New Zealand’s South Island spent the night out of their homes and a state of emergency was declared after the Maitai River burst its banks.
Occupants of 233 homes near the Maitai River were evacuated and cordons put in place at Tasman and Nile Streets.
Soldiers have been patrolling the streets to keep an eye on evacuated properties and all residents are being asked to stay home if possible.
- READ MORE: Building in flood-prone locations needs to stop, insurer IAG says
- Follow RNZ’s state of emergency live blog
The country’s largest insurer, AIG, said building in flood-prone areas had to stop.
IAG has released a three-part plan to try speed up efforts to reduce flood risk from rivers.
It said climate change was having an enormous impact on the insurance sector, and there needed to be simple, practical, concrete actions quickly.
IAG has released a three-part plan to try speed up efforts to reduce flood risk from rivers.
There have been 10 major floods in the past two years with total insured losses of about $400 million, while the wider economic and social costs extend into the billions.
People in 160 homes in low-lying parts of Westport were been asked to leave so they would not have to be rescued if their homes were flooded.
On the West Coast, the Buller River levels are dropping but civil defence remains on alert with more rain forecast.
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
Evacuated Nelson residents wait to discover extent of flood damage https://t.co/wTXwBuWJor
— RNZ News (@rnz_news) August 17, 2022
