Trapped tourists to remain at Milford Sound as weather hampers rescue effort

Tuesday, 4 February 2020

Flooding near Kingston has closed State Highway 6, on the main tourist route between Queenstown and Milford Sound.

The rescue of tourists trapped at Milford Sound will not happen on Tuesday as weather continues to hamper efforts.

Emergency Management Southland controller Angus McKay said the 195 tourists who are in Milford Sound remain at the Mitre Peak Lodge where they are comfortable and in good spirits.

Part of the Milford Rd has been washed away in torrential rain, trapping hundreds of tourists and workers at Milford Sound.

'The tourists are being briefed regularly and have a good understanding of why they need to remain there overnight. Morale is high and everybody has what they need.'

The evacuation had been put on hold until Wednesday.

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Footage shows extent of damage on the Milford Road, SH94

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McKay said 'weather conditions do not look promising for helicopter access today and flooding and road closures across Southland means it is better for the tourists to remain in Milford where they are currently safe and being cared for.

State of Emergency remains in place as Milford Sound is battered by wild weather.

'Road closures mean we cannot get the tourists to any of their destinations if we bring them out of Milford and there are accommodation challenges due to other travellers being caught up in the effects of the flooding which is becoming widespread across Southland.

'Forecasts look better for tomorrow, so we will continue with plans to safely evacuate everybody in the morning.'

Floodwaters at the Milford Sound Visitor Terminal on Monday. An evacuation plan for the 195 tourists in Milford Sound is being worked out, as Milford Rd is likely to stay closed for several days because of slips and flooding damage.

A Civil Defence spokesperson said feedback from those stuck in Milford Sound was that they were warm and comfortable and feeling well informed about the decisions that were being made.

Te Anau photographer William Patino was one of about 70 people flown to safety after heavy rain and slips closed Milford Rd.

There were no concerns for anyone with medical issues such as not having medication with them, she said.

Ultimate Hikes general manager Noel Saxon said the weather had affected walks on the Milford and Routeburn Tracks.

Groups that departed on walks between January 30 and February 2, 2020, were currently being held at our lodges along the tracks, Saxon said.

'Everyone is safe and warm in the lodges across these tracks, and a group is also at our lodge in Milford Sound.'

Real Journeys web cameras at Milford Sound show rain still falling. Tourists trapped in the sound will not be rescued until Wednesday because of the weather.

The company was co-ordinating with Emergency Management Southland and regularly assessing the weather and track conditions.

'Visibility is low so we are keeping everyone safe at our lodges until conditions allow us to safely reach them.'

Flooding at the Milford Sound Visitor Terminal on Monday. In total, 195 people are trapped at Milford Sound because of the weather.

Real Journeys general manager Paul Norris said 80 passengers would remain onboard vessels at Milford for another night.

The weather is improving on the Fiordland coast and arrangements had now been made to transfer passengers out of the fiord tomorrow morning, weather permitting, he said.

RED WARNING LIFTED

Metservice meteorologist Andy Best said more than a metre of rain had fallen in the 60 hours to 10am on Wednesday at Milford Sound, and one rain gauge had been flooded.

The Metservice had lifted its 'red' warning for Milford Sound, and no further weather warnings had been issued for the area.

New Zealand Transport Agency footage shows the extent of the damage on the Milford Rd, which is the only access to Milford Sound.

The deluge, which prompted Emergency Management Southland and the Southland District mayor Gary Tong to declare a state of emergency, closed Milford Rd between Cascade Creek and West Gate (the Chasm). MetService also issued its most serious weather warning – red – for the first time.

On Monday, 70 people were airlifted from the section of Milford Rd blocked on the Te Anau side of the Homer Tunnel. A further 50 people had registered at the Welfare Centre in Te Anau after being airlifted from huts in Fiordland.

A MetService spokesman said a series of fronts were forecast to move slowly east across the South Island on Tuesday, bringing periods of heavy rain and strong west to northwest winds to most parts of the lower South Island and the West Coast.

ROAD CLOSURES

Several main routes around Queenstown are closed due to slips including the road to Glenorchy and SH6 between Frankton and Lumsden.

State Highway 97 from Mossburn to State Highway 6 was also closed.

The Crown Range road between Queenstown and Wanaka reopened but motorists are asked to drive with caution due to the possibility of further rockfalls.

Around Glenorchy the Paradise and Routeburn Rds are closed due to washouts. The Kinloch Rd is also closed.