Weather Event - October 2025

We’re expecting further heavy rain and strong winds across the Queenstown Lakes District over the coming days.

The QLDC Emergency Operations Centre is closely monitoring conditions alongside Otago Regional Council and Otago Emergency Management. This page will be updated regularly.

Last updated: 6.00pm, 22 October 2025. 

Quick links

Otago Regional Council monitoring

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Info for businesses

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Road closures

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Stay informed and connected

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Snapshot of situation

  • Heavy rain and strong winds are forecast for Thursday 23 October, from 1.00am – 12.00pm.  

  • Rivers in the Lake Whakatipu catchment area (including the Dart, Rees, Arrow, Nevis, Shotover and Kawarau rivers) and Lake Wānaka catchment (including the Matukituki, Lindis, Wilkin and Cardrona Rivers) have risen in response to recent rain.  While the rivers are now receding, the rain forecast for Thursday will result in further rises from Thursday afternoon/evening. 

  • Further heavy rain is forecast early next week. 

  • Lake Whakatipu:  monitoring is showing the potential for surface flooding and localised ponding in low-lying areas such as Beach and Rees Street in Queenstown, as water enters through the stormwater system.  Low lying areas of Kingston foreshore and Glenorchy will also likely be affected.    

  • Glenorchy township: there is potential for localised flooding in the north-west part of the township and around walking tracks and footbridges.   The EOC is working with the Glenorchy Community Resilience Group to communicate directly with potentially affected residents.   

  • Lake Wānaka: some surface flooding is possible around low-lying lakefront areas.

  • More detailed information on monitoring can be found below. 

  • Stay safe out there and look after each other. Always take care around waterways and never drive or walk through floodwaters. 

Otago Regional Council monitoring

Otago Regional Council monitors lake and river levels. Current modeling shows: 

  • Lake Whakatipu is sitting around 310.7m and forecast to rise to approximately 311.6m by Friday morning (24 October).

  • Glenorchy Lagoon is sitting at around 311.5m, but further rain could see it rise again above 312.6m (the overtopping threshold) late Thursday or early Friday.

  • Lake Wānaka is currently 278.6m and forecast to reach around 279.7m by Friday morning.  

  • View ORC lake level monitoring data here

Information for businesses

All lakefront businesses are asked to take some simple steps to be prepared:

  • Check that drains, gutters, and sump covers are clear of debris.

  •  Check grease traps are clean 

  • Ensure insurance and emergency contact information is up to date and easily accessible

  • Review Business Continuity Plans and ensure staff are aware of safety procedures.

  • Move any at-risk equipment, stock, or electrical items off the floor or to higher ground.

If lake levels rise to the point where businesses are at risk of flooding, we will deploy sandbagging stations in affected areas.

Locations and instructions will be published here on this page, and communicated via social media channels.  There will also be clear signage in place. 

Road closures

If road closures are required, we will provide a full list on this page.  These closures will also be communicated via the QLDC Facbeook page and e-txt.   

Remember – never drive or walk through flood waters. 

Stay informed and connected

See the resources below for more information on how to stay informed and connected during a weather event.

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Community Resilience Groups

Connect with your local Community Resilience Group.