A red heavy rain warning remains in place until early tomorrow morning for Marlborough and Canterbury between Ward and Hanmer and southeast of the Awatere Valley, including the Kaikōura ranges. This has the potential to affect State Highway 1 on the east coast. Orange heavy rain warnings are also in place for Marlborough about and north of Blenheim, and Tasman District about and west of Motueka. Meanwhile, an operation to rescue a person trapped in their car in floodwaters in Lyford, near Hanmer Springs is
ongoing. St John was called to the scene about 3.30am and firefighters were working to rescue the person. Police also received a report early this morning of a person stuck in floodwaters on Inland Road. One ambulance and one first response unit is there for the ongoing incident. Several highways are closed and NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) says further disruption is expected today. Check highway conditions here Amid the bad weather, the Kaikōura District Council urges people to postpone travel plans to area.
The district is under a red level rain warning and it’s expected to last for 36 to 48 hours bringing 250 up to 600mm of rain, primarily to the Inland Range. The council says its Civil Defence team has been working since Sunday afternoon to understand the potential impacts as well as doing all possible advance mitigation. It warned of rising waterways, slippery road conditions, surface flooding and slips. “If you see rising water, act immediately and move to higher ground. Floodwater can carry debris.
“We ask you to take care, do not travel unless it is strictly necessary and take care on roads at all times. Please reconsider postponing your travel plans for 48 hours during these school holidays.”As at 7.15am NZTA said the following highways were closed: State Highway 6 – Whataroa to Harihari, West Coast, because of strong winds State Highway 6 – Haast to Fox Glacier, West Coast, because of fallen trees State Highway 8 – Fairlie to Lake Pukaki, Mackenzie Basin, because of snow and
ice State Highway 1 – between Seven Mile Road and Pukeuri, North Otago, because of flooding. A detour is in place for this closure: southbound traffic should turn right on to Seven Mile Road, then left on to State Highway 83, then right back on to SH1. The reverse applies for northbound traffic. NZTA also said the bad weather was likely to affect: State Highway 1 – Picton to Kaikoura State Highway 63 – Renwick to Saint Arnaud State Highway 62 – Spring Creek to
State Highway 6 junction State Highway 6 – Blenheim to Nelson State Highway 60 – Motueka to Collingwood NZTA says road users should drive to the conditions, expect weather hazards, and be prepared for road closures at short notice. With bad weather also affecting North Canterbury and the West Coast, travel in these regions may also be affected.
floodwaters, Hanmer Springs, Lyford, red heavy rain warning, Marlborough, Canterbury, State Highway 1, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Kaikōura ranges, road closures