Heavy rain hits part of the South

Several roads have been hit by surface flooding and minor slips as heavy rain pounds parts of the South Island.

Westland District Council emergency manager Vern Morris said at 11.20am the Hokitika River was rising, although Wadeson Island was only partly covered.

Field inspections officer John Bainbridge, speaking from Franz Josef Glacier, said the Waiho River had passed the stage three flood warning but the floodbanks were continuing to hold.

By 11.30am Franz Josef Glacier had copped 245mm of rain in about 20 hours.

A slip has closed State Highway 6 between Haast and Makarora.

NZ Transport Agency journey manager Lee Wright said contractors were working to get it open again. 

West Coast Regional Council hydrologist Stefan Beaumont said the front was expected to pass through north Westland fairly quickly this afternoon.

A heavy rain warning remained in place as an active trough continued to move towards land, with further periods of heavy rain possible into the weekend, the Metservice said.

The New Zealand Transport Agency was advising care was required by the drivers of campervans, caravans, high sided vehicles and motorbikes between Arthur's Pass and Otira.

The Queenstown Lakes District Council said the Kinloch Rd was closed by surface flooding between Kowhai Bush and Kinloch township.

As of midday, that was the only road closed, but the heavy rain was forecast to continue and it would update the situation later.

A further severe weather warning has been received for the Young Valley area (part of the Gillespie Pass Track in the Mount Aspiring National Park).

Trampers are being advised that if they intend to use this area during this period, they should not camp on the valley floor and they should move through the Young Valley as quickly as possible.

Meanwhile, Nelson City Council is bracing for the heavy rain to make its way north.

Residents in Nelson have been urged to clear leaves and other rubbish from any gutters and stormwater grills near their property.

The council warned that if sumps were blocked by leaves or other debris, rain water can quickly build up and add to the risk of flood damage.

MetService earlier issued a severe weather watch for Canterbury, Fiordland, Marlborough, Otago, Southland, Taranaki, Wairarapa and Wellington.

Forecasters said heavy rain and northwest gales were expected to continue in many of these areas today.

MetService said a band of very heavy rain would probably move northwards today.

Although the rain was expected to ease in many areas, more heavy rain was possible on the West Coast and Southern Alps into the weekend.

A heavy rain warning was in force this morning for northern Fiordland, Westland, the Canterbury and Otago Lakes, Buller and northwest Nelson.

Further north, MetService expected a dumping of heavy rain on Mt Taranaki and the Tararuas from tonight to tomorrow afternoon.

Severe northwest gales were expected in Southland and Otago this afternoon.

MetService said similar gales were forecast in the Canterbury coast and plains this morning but should ease this evening.

But in Marlborough, Wellington and Wairarapa, the gales could become severe in exposed places this evening, MetService said.

 

Add a Comment