Canterbury floods: What you need to know

Tuesday, 1 June 2021

People had to be rescued from vehicles trying to drive through raging currents across Thompsons Track just outside Chris Allen's farm (Anna Dale) gate.

Rain is easing for the flood-hit region of Canterbury but a state of emergency remains in place for the district.

Ashburton residents have been isolated as the city’s main bridge is closed, and there is no alterative route south.

Do you have any flooding photos or videos? Send them to us at newstips@stuff.co.nz

Civil Defence warned people of ongoing dangerous river conditions and further flooding, despite weather conditions starting to improve.

The flooded farms in Canterbury after two days of heavy rain.

* Canterbury floods: What you need to know about road closures

* State of emergency declared in Timaru District

Many rivers are still swollen across the district, and there is widespread surface flooding, which will continue to disrupt travel.

Here’s what you need to know.

Evacuations

Most evacuation warnings were cleared across the district on Tuesday morning.

Kellands Hill Rd is closed amid severe flooding in Timaru.

However, six properties in the Okuku area were evacuated on Monday night due to flooding.

Evacuation orders are being reviewed for residents of the low-lying areas of The Pines Beach and Kairaki, and for residents evacuated from the Okuku area.

Residents in the Waikuku area should be prepared to evacuate if asked.

Additional pumps were placed at The Pines Beach and Waikuku and were operating through the night.

Council staff and contractors will be further assessing roads, bridges and other infrastructure across the district from first light on Tuesday.

Ashburton mayor Neil Brown says if the damaged section of the Ashburton River/Hakatere bridge collapses, repairing it will take weeks. (Video first published May 1, 2021)

A welfare centre at Rangiora Baptist Church remains open.

Road closures

The washed out Pudding Hill Bridge, on SH72, after the flooding in Canterbury.

Widespread surface flooding remains across the district.

Residents are asked to avoid travelling if possible, but, if travelling is unavoidable, to drive through surface flooding slowly and carefully.

Harewood Rd Bridge remains closed and is under assessment.

The following bridges remain open:

Waimakariri State Highway 1
Ashley River
Birch Hill Rd
Poyntz Rd
Diversion Bridge on South Eyre Rd

The following closures remain in place:

All fords across the district
Lees Valley Rd
Sections of Woodside Rd near Oxford
Tippings Rd
Patersons Rd (Cust)
Taaffes Glen
Kennedys Hill Rd
The Harewood Rd Bridge where it crosses the Eyre River
Welchs Rd
Beach Rd (Pines/Kairaki)
Courtenay Drive (flooding near reserve)
Island Road (east of Mounseys Rd)
Swamp Rd
Mairaki Rd (east of intersection with McIntoshs Rd)

Official warnings

Fire and Emergency NZ, NZ Police and the NZ Defence Force have been stood down from the Emergency Operations Centre and will to continue to provide support if required.

The MetService red warning for Canterbury remains in place on Tuesday.

Rivers will remain swollen for some time and floodwaters will also take time to recede, it states.

Civil Defence have urged people to stay away from floodwater and to not travel unless absolutely necessary.

Never try to walk, swim or drive through flood water, warning rising water and flash floods can happen quickly.

“If you see rising water, do not wait for official warnings. Head for higher ground and stay away from floodwater,” its website said.

Residents are also instructed to turn off electricity if water enters homes to avoid short-circuits sparking a fire and to check on neighbours, if safe to do so.

Council staff will be reviewing operations and working across the district to assess the damage and makes plans for the recovery work.

If someone’s life, health or property is in danger, call 111.