Alert opened: 27 Dec 2025
MetService Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Issued at 8:26am Sat 27 Dec 2025
Area: North Otago, Central Otago, Southern Lakes, Dunedin, Clutha, Southland, Fiordland
Valid: 6 hours from 3:00pm Sat 27 Dec to 9:00pm Sat 27 Dec
A cold and unstable air-mass affects the South Island. For much of Fiordland, Southland, Otago, and Canterbury from about Christchurch southwards, there is a moderate risk of thunderstorms this afternoon and evening. There is also a moderate risk that some of these storms may become SEVERE between 3pm and 9pm today (Saturday), which could produce localised downpours of 25 to 40 mm/h and/or hail larger than 20 mm.
Rainfall of this intensity can cause surface and/or flash flooding, especially about low-lying areas such as streams, rivers or narrow valleys, and may also lead to slips.
Driving conditions will also be hazardous with surface flooding and poor visibility in heavy rain.
Large hail can cause significant damage to crops, orchards, vines, glasshouses and vehicles, as well as make driving conditions hazardous.
Should severe weather approach or if you feel threatened, take shelter immediately.
Note: A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are favourable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area. People in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and monitor the Metservice website https://www.metservice.com/warnings/home for possible Severe Thunderstorm Warnings.
The National Emergency Management Agency advises that as storms approach, you should:
- Take shelter, preferably indoors away from windows;
- Avoid sheltering under trees, if outside;
- Get back to land, if outdoors on the water;
- Move cars under cover or away from trees;
- Secure any loose objects around your property;
- Check that drains and gutters are clear;
- Be ready to slow down or stop, if driving.
During and after the storm, you should also:
- Beware of fallen trees and power lines;
- Avoid streams and drains as you may be swept away in flash flooding.
Affected districts
This vibrant district is home to nearly 23,200 residents and reaches inland from the Waitaki River mouth up the Waitaki Valley through Ohau to the top of the Ahuriri River Valley and extends south along the east coast beyond Palmerston to Flag Swamp.
The Waitaki District can experience storms, flooding, earthquakes, infrastructure failure, space weather and has low lying areas that are at risk to tsunami.
For more information about hazards in the Waitaki district, visit Otago Regional Council's natural hazards portal
Being prepared to look after yourself during an emergency will help you, your family and community through times of disruption.
If life or property is at immediate risk, always call 111.
If you need assistance during an emergency, your first point of contact should be family, friends, neighbours, work colleagues, or those immediately around you wherever you are.
During an emergency, information will be available through several channels from Emergency Management Otago and Waitaki District Council.
When an emergency affects the district, the Waitaki District Council will provide information to the community and visitors through a variety of channels, including their website and Facebook
The Council will also use traditional media channels like radio and local newspapers to share information if available.
Radio Stations
More FM - 100 FM
RNZ National - 101.4 FM & 810 AM
Newstalk ZB - 1395 AM
Oamaru Heritage Radio - 88.3 & 107 FM
Real - 104FM
The Hits - 98.4 FM
Oamaru FM - 91.2FM
The Breeze- 97.6 FM
Puketapu Radio - 756 AM
Leave home only if you are in immediate danger or if you are officially advised to.
Stay inside (unless you are advised to evacuate) if there is a chemical or gas disaster or a storm. Listen to the radio, look at online media channels or TV for information. If the power is off, you can use a radio app on your phone, a solar or battery powered radio or your car radio.
If you need to evacuate, secure your home as though you were going on holiday and turn off power, water, and gas. Ensure each adult in your household knows how to turn these off.
Evacuate if there is:
No one knows a community better than those who live in it!
Community Resilience Groups are a team people in your area who are trained to open and run a Community Emergency hub. They work with Emergency Management Otago to develop community response plans by the community, for the community. They are a great way for the community to come together, discuss and outline how they plan to respond and keep each other safe during an emergency event.
To ensure that Community Resilience Groups have the capability to activate, training can be provided by Emergency Management Otago to cover:
Contact your local Emergency Management Advisor for further information on creating a community resilience group for your area or to join an existing one.
Emergency Management Otago works with communities across Waitaki to develop capability and resilience within each community so that they can prepare for and respond to emergencies.
Together we have created a series of community resilience guides. These are living documents and are a short, ready-reference guide with information about local hazards and practical tips for preparedness.
Duntroon Community Resilience Guide
Hampden Community Resilience Guide
Kakanui Community Resilience Guide
Kurow Community Resilience Guide
Moeraki Community Resilience Guide
Oamaru Community Resilience Guide
Ohau Community Resilience Guide
Omarama Community Resilience Guide
Otematata Community Resilience Guide
Waihemo Community Resilience Guide
Waitaki Bridge & Kaik Fishing Village Community Resilience Guide
