EW steps up flood watch

Environment Waikato is stepping up its flood monitoring for the Waikato and Waipa rivers in response to ongoing rain and a forecast of more to come over the next few days.

Duty emergency management officer Greg Ryan said he was expecting to see an increase in river levels.

“The region is sodden, river and lake levels are high throughout the region, and will remain high as we approach this next spell of rain. At this stage the levels are expected to be managed within EW’s flood control schemes.”

However, as a precautionary measure, EW has activated a flood operations centre at its Hamilton headquarters so that it is ready to swing into action if river levels rise higher than currently forecast, Mr Ryan said.

“It means we’re prepared if river levels rise significantly beyond our current expectations.”

Mr Ryan said that for now EW’s flood response team would continue to:

• monitor closely the level of waterways
• continually reassess forecast river levels as new rainfall data and other information comes to hand
• liaise with Might River Power and Genesis Energy over water flows in and out of Lake Taupo and the hydro lakes
• provide information to local councils and Civil Defence about what is happening
• monitor the condition of EW’s flood protection infrastructure.

“If any change in current or forecast conditions requires a public warning we will work closely with Civil Defence to advise people,” Mr Ryan said.

ENDS

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