August 18, 2022
Storm threatens Nelson marae
Nelson is bracing for this afternoon’s high tide and a continuation of the heavy rain which has caused floods and slips across many parts of the region and led to the declaration of a state of emergency.
Shane Graham, the liaison between Ngāti Rarua and Emergency Management, says people have been asked to stay home and not travel.
More than 200 homes have been evacuated, with many people taking refuge in Nelson’s Saxton Stadium in Nelson.
He says marae, which is usually available in emergencies, have been affected.
“Whakatū Marae is closed. The issues there are around slips and their proximity to the marae. Te Awhina Marae in Motueka is marginal at the moment and we have an ongoing watch and with the Motueka and Riwaka Rivers close by we are keeping a watching brief as to how that goes,” Mr Graham says.
Another marae in the region was looking at the opening, but the volume of water could make it hard to get supplies in.