Greater Wellington is the promotional name of the Wellington Regional Council
News release

17 February 2004

Flood defences hold in region

Flood defences in all major rivers in the Wellington region are holding, but trees that have fallen into some streams are causing problems.

Trees felled by the high winds and bank erosion caused by the severe storm conditions over the past two days are blocking the streams. Greater Wellington Regional Council flood protection staff are working to remove the trees as fast as possible, with more heave rain expected over the weekend.

The main problem is in the Porirua Stream where regional council staff are faced with more than a dozen large trees that have blown over into the water, said Landcare Divisional Manager Rob Forlong.

Flood defences in the major rivers in the region have coped well under the circumstances however, he said.

“While there has been significant erosion damage on some banks this is what we would normally expect when two floods follow each other. The first flood stirs things up; the second causes more erosion. In a couple of places council staff are placing concrete blocks to protect banks from further damage.”

This morning river levels in the region rose again but did not reach the levels reached yesterday. Regional council staff are continuing to monitor river flows 24 hours a day.

In the Wairarapa the situation has stabilised, most rivers are receding and there is no further significant rainfall expected.

ENDS

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