20/04/2026
Latest Update 12:30pm: Afternoon Pōneke. With the weather appearing to settle, we know you are eager to begin clean-up however, Wellington remains in a State of Emergency with more rain is expected later today.
For your safety, please do not self-deploy to help with clean-up efforts at this time.
👷Emergency services and response teams are actively working in affected areas.
⚠️ Conditions remain hazardous, including flooding, slips, debris and unstable structures.
🚒 Staying off the roads help keep routes clear for emergency responders.
We know many people are keen to help, thank you. There will be opportunities to support once it is safe to do so.
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10:15am update: Red Severe Rain Warning downgraded to ORANGE HEAVY RAIN WARNING 🟠
MetService New Zealand have changed the weather warning from a Red Severe Rain Warning to an Orange Heavy Rain Warning. This does not mean the weather event is over, or that the state of emergency is lifted. Please continue to follow guidance, stay at home if safe, and avoid unnecessary travel.
Here is what this means:
☔ Expect 40 to 60 mm of rain to accumulate around the eastern hills.
💧 Saturated ground could lead to more slips and streams, and rivers may rise rapidly.
🍂 Clear your drains and gutters to prepare for heavy rain.
❌ Avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously.
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8am update:
ROAD CLOSURES:
The following roads are closed or partially closed:
◾Middleton Road, between Johnsonville and Tawa – due to fallen trees
◾Balfour Street, Mornington – due to flood debris
◾Liardet Street, Vogeltown – due to slip and flood debris
SLIPS:
Ground saturation from heavy rain increases the risk of slips. We have recorded slips in Brooklyn, Miramar and Vogeltown.
Look out for:
Small slips, rock falls and subsidence at the bottom of slopes. Sticking doors and window frames. Gaps where frames are not fitting properly. Outside fixtures such as steps, decks, and verandas are moving or tilting away from the rest of the house. New cracks or bulges on the ground, road, footpath, retaining walls and other hard surfaces. Tilting trees, retaining walls or fences, and water flowing out of a slope.
Be prepared to evacuate your house or property – and call 111 if you need assistance. If you think you need to evacuate, don’t wait for official warnings and act quickly.
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Mōrena Pōneke. It was a relatively quiet night in the city for our overnight teams in the Emergency Operations Centre however, our thoughts are with neighbouring communities who experienced more severe conditions overnight.
MORNING UPDATE:
🔴 The Red Rain Warning and the regional state of emergency remain in place.
🚧 We’ve got crews checking roads, drains, and other infrastructure ahead of further heavy rain forecast for this morning.
🚌 Metlink is warning commuters to expect disruptions to bus and train services due to the conditions – check the Metlink website for details. 👉www.metlink.org.nz
❌ Stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary.
🦒 All Council facilities and civic performance venues (St James Theatre, Opera House, TSB Arena, Hannah Playhouse) along with Tākina, Zealandia, Wellington Zoo, Wellington Museum, Wellington Cable Car, Space Place, Te Papa, and the Wellington Botanic Garden will be closed on Tuesday, 21 April.
❌ Stay out of parks, reserves and away from trees for your safety.
⚡ Some houses experienced power outages overnight. Wellington Electricity are working to restore as soon as possible 👉 www.welectricity.co.nz/outages
🗑️ Rubbish and recycling collections are continuing. If you can, please wait until next week. If not, secure lids and bring bins in immediately after collection.
Yesterday's storm saw some incidences of serious damage to houses, vehicles, and other property, particularly in suburbs like Happy Valley, Brooklyn, Berhampore, and south Karori. The overall number of affected properties is relatively small, but the damage to some of them is severe. The City Council is working with community agencies and/or FENZ to assist some families from homes that have been flooded or impacted by slips and those with access cut off by slips on South Karori Road.
If you think you need to evacuate, don’t wait for official warnings and act quickly. Stay with friends of family if it’s safe to do so. Otherwise, two Emergency Assistance Centres have been set up:
◾ Welington City Mission's Whakamaru facility on Oxford St, Mount Cook.
◾Salvation Army at 4 Normanby St, Newtown is open ovenight for shelter, but accommodation and other needs can't be arranged until the morning.
The Southern Landfill will remain open receive storm debris and essential collections only. Council rubbish and recycling collections will go ahead on Tuesday where they’re scheduled.
ROAD CLOSURES:
🏠 A number of houses in South Karori Road are still cut off from vehicle access due to slips and debris blocking the road.
🛣️ Middleton Road, the main route between Johnsonville and Tawa, is closed to through traffic by fallen trees. Metlink is diverting the buses that use the route.
🌳Ohariu Valley Road is also blocked by a fallen tree.
IF YOU NEED HELP:
📞 Call 04 499 4444, for welfare support.
🚨 In an emergency, call 111
REPORT WEATHER RELATED ISSUES:
Call 04 499 4444, email [email protected], use the FixIt App, or fill out our webform: https://services.wellington.govt.nz/report/
We will continue to provide updates here and through official channels. Please share this information to help others stay safe Pōneke 💛
