[8] Parts of the West Coast experienced 300 mm (12 in) of rain over the weekend of 17–18 July, roughly a month's average rainfall.
The high rainfall was also exacerbated by warmer than average sea surface temperatures, another effect of climate change.
Harrington predicted that such atmospheric rivers would become more intense and frequent throughout the world as a result of climate change.
The Buller and Marlborough Regions were more vulnerable to stormy weather since their geographical location meant they were trapped between incoming moisture-laden atmospheric rivers and the Southern Alps, causing the air to compress and the rain to fall.
[11] As a result of the flooding, 430 residents were evacuated from Spring Creek near Blenheim, Tuamarina township in the Marlborough Region on the evening of 17 July.
Dozens of roads were closed in the region, and an order to boil drinking water was instated in the Wairau Valley.
The West Coast District Health Board stated that it would take months to clean affected homes.
[9] In July 2022, the Buller District Council and the West Coast Regional Council submitted a NZ$54 million business case for the West Coast region which includes investing in flood walls, subsidising people to move from flood-prone areas, and investing in Westport's stormwater system.