Flood warning text alert system
Flooding can happen quickly and with little warning. Our flood warning text alert system gives residents an early heads-up when river levels start to rise, usually before Civil Defence emergency management is activated.
Early warnings can make a big difference. This free service helps protect people, assets, and livestock by giving you time to seek out further information, move stock to higher ground, secure belongings, and prepare your household.
Why the flood warning system matters
Flooding is a natural part of Canterbury’s landscape, but it can cause serious damage, especially if people are caught unprepared. By signing up for flood alerts, you’ll get a warning to indicate flows have reached a threshold that have the potential to cause flooding so you can act early and reduce risk to your family, assets, and community.
The text alert is a one-way notification system and is for potential high-flow alerting purposes only. It should not be taken as an evacuation notice. When you receive an alert, you should monitor river flows and take appropriate action for your property.
How the flood warning system works
If you would like to receive text alerts to your mobile phone, text the name of your river (as indicated in the table below) to 3730. You can opt out anytime by texting CANCEL to 3730.
You’ll receive a text alert when your selected river reaches a critical threshold.
Each alert directs you to our website, where you can find more information and live river data.
What rivers are available
The text alert system is currently available for:
| Waimakariri | The south side of the Waimakariri River between the primary and secondary stopbanks. |
| Selwyn | Both sides of the Waikirikiri Selwyn River from approx. Glentunnel area to Te Waihora Lake Ellesmere. |
| Rakaia River | Both sides of the Rakaia River from the gorge (Ōpuke Mt Hutt area) to the sea. |
| Ashburton Tinwald | The urban areas of Ashburton and Tinwald. |
| Upper Ashburton | The parts of the North and South Ashburton Rivers that are upstream (west) of Ashburton township and both sides of Bowyers and Taylors streams. |
| Lower Ashburton | Both sides of the Hakatere Ashburton River downstream (east) of Ashburton township. |
| Hinds | Both sides of the South and Main Branch Hekeao Hinds rivers from upstream of Mayfield to the sea. |
| Rangitata | Both sides of the Rangitata River from Klondyke Gorge to sea. |
| Pareora | Both sides of the Pareora River from near Pareora Huts (Craigmore Valley Road) to the sea. |
| Waihao | Both sides of the North, South and Main Branch Waihao Rivers – most relevant from Waihaorunga area to the sea. |
| Waitaki | Both sides of the Waitaki River downstream of the Waitaki Dam. |
| Coastal | Land within roughly 500m of the coastline in the area extending from the Waitaki River to Te Waihora Lake Ellesmere. |
Stay informed and stay safe - text your river name to 3730 to start receiving free alerts.