What we know
In Hamilton we’re seeing more extreme weather, including intense rain events, due to the impacts of climate change. Warmer temperatures mean more water vapour in the air which creates heavy, and sudden, rain bursts.
With more rain, and more intense rain, we face a higher risk of flooding. We’ve seen the impact of extreme flooding in Auckland and Hawkes Bay in 2023.
Hamilton is not immune to flooding events, and it’s not just the Waikato River we need to think about. It’s important that we understand what the impact of intense flooding could be for our city, and plan for it.
What we’re doing
We’re using the latest information available to understand how flooding could impact Hamilton, and updating our flood mapping and modelling.
Check out Floodviewer to see how your home could be impacted by extreme flooding events.
How you can prepare
Once you know how your home could be affected by extreme rain, it’s time to get prepared. Check out Civil Defence for more information on how to prepare for flooding events.
Planning renovations?
If you’re planning to make changes to your home, you’ll need to consider the impacts of flooding in your plans. These considerations are part of Plan Change 14, and depend on what kind of changes you want to make (from major renovations to a new spa pool).
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Last updated 3 October 2024