Ex-Cyclone Gita: what you need to know
Monday, 19 February 2018
The main system of ex-cyclone Gita moved off the country on Wednesday, leaving destruction in its wake.
One lane has re-opened on State Highway 1 north of Wellington between Pukerua Bay and Paekākāriki. The road was shut at 12.30am Wednesday as the tide was washing across both lanes. A stop-go process got underway at 7am Wednesday, but significant delays are expected in both directions. Emergency repairs are being undertaken on the sea barrier and there are fears the high tide at 2pm could cause more damage.
States of Emergency were declared in Taranaki, Nelson Tasman region, Selywn district, Grey district, Buller and Christchurch.
Grey District Mayor Tony Kokshoorn lifted the State of Emergency for the Grey District at 10am on Wednesday. The strong winds and heavy rain which most of New Zealand experienced during ex-Cyclone Gita were not as severe as expected for the Grey District.
**READ MORE:
* Road closures across the South Island
* Live: Cyclone Gita nears New Zealand
* Live: MetService answers your Gita questions
* What Gita has coming for you
The State of Emergency was also lifted for Christchurch at 11am. Mayor Lianne Dalziel said the city was 'lucky this time'.
'I felt it was important to make the initial declaration because the worst of the storm was expected to hit overnight,' Dalziel said. 'I was concerned that people could be struggling to deal with flooding in the dark.'
At 12.25pm on Wednesday, Buller District also terminated their State of Emergency.
Access to Kaikōura has been restored after the Inland Road - SH70 - was re-opened. State Highway 1 north of Kaikōura, from Mangamaunu to Clarence, and south between Peketa and Goose Bay, remained closed.
LATEST WEATHER WARNINGS AROUND NZ
Heavy rain associated with Gita is expected to continue in Dunedin and North Otago until late Wednesday afternoon. Rain warnings for Canterbury has now eased.
All wind warnings across New Zealand associated with Gita have now been lifted, according to MetService.
While Gita has passed, there could be a sting in the tail for Wellington. Metservice are forecasting thunderstorms to strike on Wednesday evening, with the chance of hail.
POWER CUTS, ROAD CLOSURES, POST DELAYS
About 6000 Golden Bay residents and tourists are isolated as ex-cyclone Gita turned the Takaka Hill road into 'a river' yesterday afternoon.
Two Golden Bay bridges have also been washed away and two badly damaged, stranding residents in Kaituna near Collingwood.
State Highway 1, north of Kaikōura, from Mangamaunu to Clarence was closed to heavy rain, as was the section between Peketa and Goose Bay. The Inland Road, SH70, has been re-opened.
State Highway 60 from Riwaka to Takaka remains closed, while crews clear up multiple slips, flooding and fallen trees.
The NZ Transport Agency advised at 11am Wednesday that there is significant damage and it will be several days before SH60 is able to re-open as a single lane.
In Taranaki, around 15,000 properties remain without power as of 8.30am on Wednesday. Residents in New Plymouth are being asked to conserve water until repairs could be made to a main that was damaged when a tree crashed down on to it on Tuesday.
The closure of SH1 has delayed post bound for the Wellington region, says New Zealand Post. Some deliveries may now not be completed until Thursday. Delayed flights on Tuesday has also slowed deliveries in the upper South Island.
PLANES, FERRIES AND TRAINS
A Wellington Airport spokeswoman said flights are arriving and departing, however some flights have been cancelled as airlines caught up on Tuesday's disruption.
You can follow updates on Air New Zealand cancellations here.
KiwiRail said its TranzAlpine service had been cancelled for both Tuesday and Wednesday due to the severe weather.
The Interislander ferries said they were still sailing Cook Strait, based on current forecasts.
The latest arrival and departures can be found here.
Wellington's Harbour Ferry is operating on a restricted timetable Wednesday morning between Queens Wharf and Days Bay, but will not be travelling to Seatoun.
SCHOOLS
Over 120 schools and 70 early learning centres were closed by ex-cyclone Gita on Wednesday, impacting more than 30,000 students.
Most were located in Taranaki, Whanganui, Manawatu, Canterbury, Nelson, Marlborough, West Coast, Otago and Waikato regions.
More info and specifics can be found here.
ROADS
Below is the current state of the State Highways in the South Island, from the Christchurch Transport Operations Centre:
Marlborough/ Tasman/Nelson
* SH60 Riwaka to Takaka – Slip - ROAD CLOSED. NZTA anticipate the road will be closed for several days. Timeline will be updated Friday 23rd.
Canterbury (Including Alpine / Mountain Passes)
* Inland Route 70 (Inland Kaikoura Rd) - ROAD OPEN
* SH1 Hundalee – Slip – ROAD CLOSED – between Hundalee and Oaro townships. The next update is at 12pm.
* SH1, north of Kaikoura, Mangamaunu to Clarence – ROAD CLOSED – Due to adverse weather conditions the road is closed. The next update is expected by 7am Thursday.
* SH1, south of Kaikoura, between Peketa and Goose Bay - ROAD CLOSED – Due to adverse weather conditions the road is closed. The next update is expected by 12 pm Wednesday.
West Coast
* SH6 Hokitika to Haast - Strong Winds – ROAD OPENED
* SH73 Jacksons to Kumara Junction – Strong Winds - ROAD OPENED
* SH6 Westport to Greymouth (Crossroads to Rapahoe) – Flooding - ROAD OPENED
* SH6 Inangahua Junction to Westport (Lower Buller Gorge) – Fallen Trees – ROAD OPENED
Otago
* SH6 Haast to Makarora (Haast Pass) – Strong Winds - ROAD OPENED
* SH8 Alexandra to Milton – The road is down to one lane under stop/go control near the intersection with Grovers Hill Rd. Road users are advised to take extra care.
* SH8 Lindis Pass to Raes Junction – Flooding – Due to flooding and rockfalls, road users are advised to take extra care
* SH85 Kyeburn to Alexandra – Flooding – Due to flooding and rockfalls, road users are advised to take extra care