Latest updates this morning as Southland rivers reach peak flows and flooding closes roads.
Summary
Peak Mataura River floodwaters expected to reach Gore at 1.30pm.
Farmers in lower reaches of river warned to move stock.
Authorities say the Oreti River has peaked with few problems.
Wallacetown farmer Dave Marshall says some stopbanks have been breached
SH94 Mossburn to Te Anau closed; SH94 Te Anau to Milford Sound closed
Phonelines partially restored to Te Anau and Fiordland
The MetService has lifted heavy rain warnings for inland Southland north of Winton and Mataura
Up to 25mm of rain was expected in inland Southland and central Otago this morning.
Southland roads
Drivers are being urged to stay and home and only travel in emergencies as surface flooding and high river levels are causing problems.
Roads that are closed or affected by flooding around the Southland District late this afternoon:
ROAD CLOSURES
Canaird Road
Nokomai Road
Affleck Road
Roy Road
Felton Road
Mavora Lakes
Mt Nicholas Road
Branxholme-Makarewa Road (surface flooding and concerns with trucks and the rail bridge)
Deans Road, Winton
Waikouro Wairio Road
Benmore Stockbridge Road
Oporo Flat Road
West Plains-Taramoa Road between Horwell and Taramoa Road
West Plains Road at both the Waikiwi River and the Makarewa River
Gropers Bush Thornbury Road between Foster and Rankin
Ferry Road, Taramoa area
Spar Bush Winton Road at Rapid 738
Counsell Road Makarewa
North Makarewa Grove Bush Road between Horman and Thomlinson
Otautau-Riverton Road at Aparima River bridge
FLOODING
Rakahouka Hedgehope Road
Hedgehope Area, surrounding land flooded, monitoring roads
Otapiri Mandeville Area, surrounding land flooded, monitoring roads
Tanner & Hokonui School Road Area, flooding in low areas across road, passable with care.
Taramoa Area, surface flooding on a number of roads, passable with care
Centre Bush Otapiri Road, surface flooding, road passable with care.
Limehills Browns Road, surface flooding
Dipton Hwy to Henderson Road, passable with care
Anderson Road, surface flooding
Winton Hedgehope Hwy to Hokonui School Road, passable with care
McAdam Road at Makarewa, surface flooding, road passable with care
Rakahouka Grove Bush Road, surface flooding, road passable with care
Fleming Road at Titiroa, OK and open
Wairikiki Road, OK and open.
Sutton Road, Glencoe, flooding and scouring
McKenzie Road, Browns, flooding across road at 389 McKenzie Road. Flooding has caused undermining of the road which is not visible to public.
CAUTION
Mt Hamilton Road, road underwater
Wreys Bush-Mossburn Road, flooding across both lanes from the Aparima River Bridge to Rapid 2432, the road is passable
Tussock Creek-Springhills Road, flooding across road
Crampton Road, Opio, water is right across the road
ROADS REOPENED AFTER BEING CLOSED
South Hillend Dipton Road
Horman road at Makarewa
Lora Gorge Road
SH94 Te Anau to Milford - extreme care needed
