A tree blocking the road at Mill Road and Oxford Road in Cust. The road is currently closed.
Heavy rain and strong winds are set to continue across New Zealand, slowly spreading north as the week progresses, with MetService issuing a plethora of Severe Weather Warnings and Watches for the stormy conditions.
A Strong Wind Warning is in place for the following State Highways, SH1 Rakaia to Timaru, SH77 Methven to WindWhistle, SH79 Fairlie to Geraldine, and SH80 Lake Pukaki to Aoraki Mt Cook
There Significant rain has already fallen in Fiordland, far with 450mm in the 24 hours to 11am Monday morning recorded at a high elevation station (1211m) and around 145mm near sea level at Milford Sound.
Fire and Emergency crews have been working in overdrive clearing roads from downed powerlines in Rakaia.
Fallen trees are blocking the eastbound lane on SH77 Homebush Rd near the intersection with Coaltrack Rd. NZTA said motorists are advised to take extra care along this route.
Timaru area
Strong winds continue in the region. The Council is warning residents to expect heavy rainfall inland east of the Southern Alps, leading to increasing river flows affecting low-lying areas.
Wind conditions have led to some power outages and fallen trees. Extreme care is advised if travelling in rural areas.
Graphic: NZTA
Selwyn Civil Defence activates emergency operations centre
Selwyn Civil Defence has activated its emergency operations centre.
Contractors are working across the district today. Water races have been closed down.
The Council said sandbags are available for flood-prone areas at Hororata, Whitecliffs, Sheffield and Springfield.
The Council said the ground is still wet and saturated from last week’s significant rain event, so there is an increased possibility of trees falling in the high winds.
All fords are closed, while repair and stabilising works are continuing on Kowhai Road following the earlier land slip.
Flooding, taken today by roading contractors near Clayton and Dry Creek stations, near Fairlie.
Graphic Metservice
West Coast Civil Defence on standby
West Coast Civil Defence Regional Director Claire Brown said that they expect a lot of rainfall through until tomorrow afternoon.
“It is recommended that people stay home if they can and to take care over the next 24 hours in particular. Please keep up-to-date on the forecast through Metservice and check NZTA Waka Kotahi for roading updates.
The Metservice advises that heavy rain may cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly. Surface flooding and slips are also possible and driving conditions may be hazardous.
SH6 Haast Pass is closed due to fallen trees, with an update expected at 5pm this evening.
Ashburton area
The Ashburton Resource Recovery Park and the Rakaia Resource Recovery Park are both closed this morning because of high winds.
Council said it was monitoring the situation and reviewing hourly.
Rubbish and recycling collections in Tinwald, Methven, Mt Somers and Mayfield are going ahead as usual.
Waka Kotahi was warning motorists on State Highway 1 between Timaru and Rakaia to take extra care, especially if they are driving high-sided vehicles or motorcycles.
