Preparing for rain

Here are some practical steps you can take at home to prepare for a heavy rain event, and information on what to do when there is a risk of flooding at or near your home.

Clear drains and gutters at home:

• Downpipes
  Check your downpipes and gutters for damage, and repair, if necessary, to prevent rainwater leaking from unexpected places.
  
• Leaves and blockages
  Check your gutters, spouting and downpipes for any leaves or debris and clear any blockages that might cause overflows during heavy rainfall.
  Make sure you keep on top of maintenance and repairs.
  
• Tree maintenance
  Regularly check trees on your property for branches overhanging your roof that might need trimming, or roots encroaching on pipes. Rake up excess leaves. Leaves and twigs can block gutters, spouting and drains.
  
• Get prepared

Keep storm water drains clear

Litter and leaves can clog sumps/drains and cause flooding during rain events. Clear up any litter you may notice and put it in the bin. We run a regular road sump cleaning programme across the city and prior to storm events gives key sumps an extra check and tidy up. In between this work residents are welcome to clear leaf litter that collects above sumps on their road if they can do so safely.

If you see anything that is not quite right let us know.

• Stay up to date with weather warnings and watches at Metservice
• Follow our Facebook page for local updates
• Follow the Wellington Region Emergency Management Office (WREMO) Facebook page for regional updates

If your house is being flooded or is at immediate risk of flooding:

• call 111 (fire service)
• Lift household items as high above the floor as possible
• Move out of the flooded area or go to the nearest high ground.

If there is flooding on your section:

• Stay out of floodwaters
• Call us for advice on 04 237 5089
• For a network or roading issue call us or log a service request.

If your property is flood prone:

• Get prepared at home
• Keep an eye on weather warnings
• Have sandbags on had - you can get these from Bunnings and Mitre 10

Find out how to get prepared for a heavy rain event:

getready.govt.nz

wremo.nz

www.gw.govt.nz

We receive lots of calls during big weather events and sometimes our phone lines get busy. You can report less urgent issues using the Antenno app, which allows you to include photos also.