South Island gets a break from severe weather, heavy rain warnings in the north – صحيفة الصوت

• The heavy rain that’s been lashing large parts of the South Island for two days is expected to ease from Wednesday.
• Authorities are working to re-establish access to Lake Ōhau and Aoraki/Mt Cook villages after a bridge on the only access road was washed away by floodwaters on Tuesday.
• Heavy rain watches are in place in Northland and Taranaki until later on Wednesday morning and in Bay of Plenty from Rotorua eastwards until early afternoon.

The South Island is expected to get a break from the wild weather that on Tuesday saw holidaymakers trapped due to washed out access roads and slips.

On Tuesday, a “one-in-a-100 year July weather event” saw a bridge that gave access to Lake Ōhau and Aoraki/Mt Cook villages washed away by floodwaters.

Residents and holidaymakers staying in rental accommodation and holiday parks were left without any option but to stay a few extra days until access to the villages can be restored.

Barbara MacKay, a Lake Ōhau resident for 20 years, said it was the first time her or her husband had seen the bridge washed out. “In the 20 years we have been here the only time we haven’t been able to get out was because of snow, never because the bridge has washed out.”

READ MORE:
* Alpine pass to stay closed till at least Wednesday due to multiple slips
* Southland roads affected by rising rivers
* 100-year rain event cuts off Aoraki/Mt Cook and Lake Ōhau villages

Rainfall figures supported the claim of an almost one-in-a-100 year July weather event.

Mike Neilson, owner of Lake Ohau Lodge, 5km past the village, made the claim after floodwaters washed out the bridge.

“We have been here 33 years. I have never seen it go out,” Neilson said.

Waitaki Civil Defence controller David Campbell said they were not sure how long it will take for the washed out bridge to be rebuilt.

“We might start with one that can hold foot traffic, it might take time to get a ridge with driving access there.”

Six major South Island roads remained closed overnight and into Wednesday morning mainly due to slips and washouts.

Mount Cook Rd (SH80) was closed between Ben Ohau and Aoraki Mt Cook, while Lindis Pass (SH8) was affected by slips, and a particular bridge abutment needed a full inspection.

On Tuesday afternoon, SH77 between Blackford Rd and Mt Hutt Station Rd was closed due to a washout.

Mt Hutt ski field was open on Wednesday morning, but advised snow enthusiasts that because SH77 was still closed, those travelling from the north would need to cross the Rakaia River on SH1.

Mount Dobson ski area was closed on Wednesday to allow staff to repair the access road. A spokesperson said 15cm of new snow had fallen at the ski area and more light snow was expected throughout the day.

Rivers across South Canterbury seem to have coped well with the heavy rain with the Waitaki River the only one causing fears of flooding.

Environment Canterbury duty flood manager Chris Fauth said on Tuesday while river levels in the Mackenzie District were dropping, the Waitaki River was expected to continue to rise and “out-of-river flooding” could be expected.

“Water will spill over the dam in excess at a flow of 1000 cumecs for at least the next two days,” he said.

The Rangitata River peaked at 1120 cubic metres per second (cumecs) in the gorge about 4pm on Tuesday. Peak flows would take another 10 to 12 hours to travel from the gorge to the mouth, meaning the river would be flowing high until Wednesday.

The Rakaia River peaked at 2600 cumecs at Fighting Hill, and no significant flooding was anticipated. The Waimakariri River peaked at 1000 cumecs at Otarama, well contained by stopbanks.

Both rivers were expected to continue to rise in their lower reaches overnight and flows would remain high into Wednesday, an Environment Canterbury spokesperson said.

Mt Cook Village recorded 405mm of rain in 24 hours from Monday to Tuesday, while Timaru’s airport received just 6mm of rain in the same period.

While the heavy rain was easing over the South Island, heavy rain watches have since been issued for some North Island areas.

A complex low is forecast to develop over the North Island moving eastwards during Wednesday and Thursday.

MetService had heavy rain watches in place in Northland and Taranaki until Wednesday morning and in Bay of Plenty from Rotorua eastwards until early Wednesday afternoon.

There is a strong wind watch for Canterbury Plains and eastern Marlborough from 4pm Tuesday to Thursday evening.

Road snowfall warnings were in place until Wednesday morning in Lindis Pass (SH8), Crown Range Road and Milford Road (SH94).

MetService also has a heavy swell warning in place from Thursday afternoon in Wellington and Wairarapa.