This is NZ Volunteers Week and the team at West Coast Emergency Management wanted to recognise the volunteers that we work with right across the West Coast. The work of responding to and preparing for emergencies is hugely reliant on community volunteers willing to step up and support their part of our region. Please accept our thanks and acknowledgment for the important role you all play as volunteers in supporting our communities.
From our Team to you - THANK YOU for your commitment to emergency management.

Good Morning, please see below warning from Metservice.

Heavy Rain Warning - Orange

Area: The ranges of Westland
Period: 24hrs from 7:00pm Friday to 7:00pm Saturday
Forecast: Expect 220 to 290 mm of rain. Peak rates of 15 to 25 mm/h expected Saturday afternoon, especially in thunderstorms.
Low chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.
Impact: Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible.
Action: Clear your drains and gutters to prepare for heavy rain. Avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously.

Issued: 8:55am Thursday, 18th June 2026
Next Update: 9:00pm Thursday, 18th June 2026

The orange warning remains in place today. WCRC flood duty team are monitoring all West Coast rivers. We are seeing some response in river levels however these are not expected to cause concern at this stage. Please continue to take care if driving. The lastest MetService warning for Westland follows:

Area: Westland south of Hokitika
Period: 13hrs from 9:00am Monday to 10:00pm Monday
Forecast: On top of what has already fallen, expect 100 to 150 mm about the ranges, especially north of the glaciers, and 30 to 50 mm about the coast. Peak rates of 20 to 30 mm/h expected about the ranges. Thunderstorms possible.
Low chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.
Impact: Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible.
Action: Clear your drains and gutters to prepare for heavy rain. Avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously.

Issued: 10:00am Monday, 1st June 2026
Next Update: 9:00pm Monday, 1st June 2026

STILL MORE RAIN TO COME with updated forecasts below.
WESTLAND
Area: Westland south of Hokitika
Period: 26hrs from 8:00pm Sunday to 10:00pm Monday
Forecast: On top of the rain that has already fallen, expect 200 to 300 mm about the ranges, and 70 to 100 mm about the coast. Peak rates of 20 to 30 mm/h expected about the ranges. Thunderstorms possible from Monday morning.
Low chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.
Impact: Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible.
Action: Clear your drains and gutters to prepare for heavy rain. Avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously.

BULLER
Area: Ranges of Buller
Period: 28hrs from 8:00pm Sunday to 12:00am Tuesday
Forecast: On top of what has already fallen, expect 120 to 160 mm of rain. Peak rates of 15 to 25 mm/h.
Low chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.
Impact: Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible.
Action: Clear your drains and gutters to prepare for heavy rain. Avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously.
Issued: 8:48pm Sunday, 31st May 2026
Next Update: 10:00am Monday, 1st June 2026

Evening West Coasters, UPDATED FORECAST 8PM FRI 29 MAY.

As expected there are some changes to the forecast as we get closer to the arrival of the weather. Slightly less duration and rain volume in BULLER. Slightly more volume for WESTLAND. Stay tuned for updates tomorrow. We will be monitoring over the weekend.

Area: Ranges of Buller
Period: 36hrs from noon Sun, 31 May - midnight Mon, 1 Jun
Forecast: Expect 200 to 300 mm of rain. Peak rates of 15 to 25 mm/h expected from Sunday night with thunderstorms possible. Low chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.
Impact: Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible.
Action: Clear your drains and gutters to prepare for heavy rain. Avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously.

Area: Westland south of Hokitika
Period: 42hrs from 2:00am Sunday to 8:00pm Monday
Forecast: Expect 400 to 500 mm of rain about the ranges, and 100 to 150 mm of rain about the coast. Peak rates of 20 to 30 mm/h expected on Sunday about the ranges. Thunderstorms possible.
Low chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.
Impact: Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible.
Action: Clear your drains and gutters to prepare for heavy rain. Avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously.