12:00 AM Fri 13 February 2026
Manawatū-Whanganui Emergency Management Group is making preparations ahead of this weekend, with a weather system forecast to impact the region.
Much of the region is currently under a heavy rain watch until Saturday morning, with MetService forecasting heavy rain and possible thunderstorms. MetService has moderate confidence of severe wind and rain continuing to impact much of the region on Sunday and Monday.
Horizons Regional Council manager emergency management Chay Hook says an online meeting was held this afternoon, with city and district council emergency management staff, emergency services and other agencies across the rohe (region) coming together to ensure everyone is prepared for whatever the weekend may bring.
“Information from MetService shows northern parts of the region, such as Ruapehu District and northern parts of Rangitīkei District, may already be experiencing thundery conditions.
“While we are only under severe weather watch at the moment, and MetService has said there is uncertainty about the exact track and impact of the weather, we are preparing for the situation to worsen on Sunday and Monday."
The severe weather watches and warnings across the North Island as of the afternoon of Friday 13 February 2026.
“Based on MetService’s forecast, the focus looks set to move to the east of the region – specifically, the Tararua District – as a deep low moves towards the east coast on Sunday. People are likely to see significant swells and inundation onto the coasts, as well as strong winds and severe rainfall.
“It looks like this weather system will also bring heavy wind and rain to other parts of the region.”
It is always better to be prepared earlier rather than later, says Mr Hook.
“There are some actions people can take now which will make things safer for them during a storm:
- Move any items from areas of your property that are prone to flooding.
- Clear gutters and drains to help to prevent surface flooding.
- Bring inside anything that can be broken or picked up by strong winds, or tie them down.
- Identify a safe location in your whare (home) for household members to gather during a thunderstorm in case you need to shelter in place.
- Keep materials at hand for repairing windows, such as tarpaulins, boards and duct tape.
- If you have livestock, known which paddocks are safe to move them away from floodwaters, landslides and power lines.
“If people do experience flooding, they should never attempt to enter, swim in or drive through flood waters. Recent weather events have sadly seen people die after entering flood waters.
“More preparedness information is available via our website mwcdem.govt.nz and the Get Ready website.”
Mr Hook says residents should drive to the conditions and, if possible, avoid non-essential travel.
“This advice is especially relevant if you have planned to travel towards Tairāwhiti Gisborne, Bay of Plenty and Coromandel, with those areas already under orange severe rain warnings.
“We’ll be keeping a close eye on the situation. People can keep up to date with any key information on this weather event on the Manawatū-Whanganui Civil Defence Facebook page or our website mwcdem.govt.nz.
“If at any time you, your family and/or your property are at risk, immediately contact emergency services on 111.”