Marlborough Emergency Management is activated and continuing to monitor the potential impacts of the Heavy Rain Warning - Red for the southern part of Marlborough.
The warning took effect from 4pm yesterday and runs to 3am Wednesday 8 July for Marlborough and Canterbury, between Ward and Hanmer and southeast of the Awatere Valley, including the Kaikōura ranges.
Incident Controller Matt Kerr said so far things were manageable in Marlborough but the Incident Management Team was remaining vigilant.
“At this stage State Highway 1 Picton to Kaikōura is open but conditions are dangerous out there and people should stay off the roads if possible.”
“State Highway 1 south of Kaikōura is closed due to concerns about the impact on the highway of rising river levels, and the Inland Route 70/Inland Kaikoura Road is also closed. People should be prepared for a closure throughout the day. Strong winds and treefall also forced the closure of State Highway 63 in the Tasman district yesterday afternoon. That highway is now closed between Kawatiri Junction and Howard Valley Road.
While the areas of Marlborough most likely to be impacted by the rain are south of Ward and southeast of the Awatere Valley, there is significant rainfall across the whole district.
“Residents should be extra vigilant. There is a high chance of slips and impassable roads. There may also be power outages and a loss of communications.
“People should avoid all non-essential travel today if possible,” Mr Kerr said.
Marlborough Roads' crews are out inspecting roads and clearing debris when safe to do so. There is surface flooding throughout the region, including on state highways. As rain continues to fall road users are urged to avoid travel and if travel is essential to drive with extreme caution and to the conditions.
- On State Highway 1 just out of Picton there is a small slip partially blocking a lane.
- On local roads Wairau Beach, Omaka Ford, Para, Speeds and Anakiwa roads are all closed due to flooding.
- On Queen Charlotte Drive there are multiple areas that are down to one lane with trees down near Picton and slips on Mahakipawa Hill and Shakespeare Bay.
- On Port Underwood Road, just past Karaka Point when travelling from Picton a slip is blocking one lane.
- Awatere Valley Road between Jordan Bridge and Limestone remains closed.
- On Kenepuru Road and its side roads, there are no planned Marlborough Roads Recovery construction closures in place today. Planned closures at French Pass Village and Tennyson Inlet Road are currently going ahead as planned.
Roads closed
Omaka Ford Road
Anakiwa Road
Para Road
Speeds Road
Ward Beach Road
Awatere Valley Road between Jordan Bridge and Limestone
Caution
Queen Charlotte Drive between Havelock and Picton
Port Underwood Road just past Karaka Point
The next roading update will be sent at 1pm unless
something significant should change.
“Council’s
hydrologists and engineers continue to monitor the weather situation. There are
no river flooding issues expected for Spring Creek township or the Wairau River
based on the current MetService forecasts,” Mr Kerr said.
However,
Council’s water services team have advised that there could likely be capacity
issues with stormwater and wastewater systems throughout Blenheim, and possibly
Picton.
“Residents
could experience slow toilet flushing within some of the adversely affected
areas. We ask that they limit flushing when this occurs.”
Picton’s kerbside waste collection has been put on hold and
people should not plan to use Marlborough’s transfer stations today.
All parks and reserves are closed with the exception of the
hockey turf at Puna Wai and College Park, and Lansdowne Park netball courts.
Please should avoid the Taylor River Reserve as it is flooding.
Keep up to date online on Council’s website www.marlborough.govt.nz and Antenno app, and NZ
Transport Agency Waka Kotahi
www.nzta.govt.nz
Follow MetService New Zealand for the latest weather advice
-
www.metservice.com
