Storm vents fury on South Island; more rain today

THE worst of Cyclone Gita may be over further north, but Otago remains under threat of heavy, flooding rain until this afternoon.

The former tropical cyclone lashed the top half of the South Island and parts of the North Island with damaging winds and torrential rain late yesterday and overnight.

States of emergency were declared in Christchurch and the Selwyn, Buller and Grey districts and in the Westland, Tasman and Taranaki regions yesterday afternoon and evening due to high winds and expected flooding overnight.

More than 100 residents were late last night evacuated from Takaka.

At 9.30pm, the Kaikoura District Council warned parts of the town and surrounding areas were flooding ‘‘as drains cannot cope with the amount of rain that is falling’’.

By late evening, Kaikoura was cut off, the road from Hokitika to Haast was blocked by fallen trees, and the Haast Pass and Arthurs Pass were closed.

More than 60 tourists were trapped in Whataroa, two hours south of Greymouth. Fortytwo Chinese tourists spent the night sleeping in two buses, while 25 people sought refuge in the Whataroa Community Hall. Several tourists were in emergency accommodation in Haast.

Christchurch homes by the Heathcote River were also threatened by flooding last night.

In Otago, just after 10pm, the Otago Regional Council’s Kakanui gauge at Clifton Falls Bridge reached its firststage flood warning level.

The MetService last night warned heavy rain in North Otago and Dunedin today could also cause flooding.

While a new storm system spawned from Gita was now moving away to the east of the South Island, there were heavy rain warnings out for both North Otago and Dunedin.

Communications meteorologist Lisa Murray said an onshore flow and ‘‘a lot of moisture’’ were being pushed on to the southeast coast of the South Island.

‘‘Around Dunedin and right up to Timaru could see some heavy rainfall with some decent accumulations. Dunedin has a lower threshold for flooding.’’

Dunedin could receive up to 80mm of rain by 1pm today, and North Otago 70mm by 11am.

Snow warnings were also issued yesterday for the higher parts of the Lindis Pass and Crown Range.

Power was cut at times yesterday to several parts of central New Zealand, including Buller and Taranaki.

The TranzAlpine tourist train was cancelled yesterday and again today.

A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman said crews had been called to homes and other buildings where roofs had been lifted off, powerlines downed, trees felled across roads and homes and business flooded. Many of the callouts were in Taranaki, the Tasman district and on the West Coast.

The spokesman said fire crews had also been called to a number of landslips, including one in Takaka, where a main road had since been closed.

On the West Coast, Buller Mayor Garry Howard said a state of emergency was declared after the Red Cross and police raised concerns about wind and sea threats to Granity.

At least six houses in the area were affected and residents were advised to evacuate their homes.

Mr Howard said Granity was close to the sea and the main road ‘‘fully exposed’’.

It is the second time in as many weeks the road was affected by severe weather, having been hit by the recent Cyclone Fehi.

In the Westland council area there were reports of trees down, damage to buildings and Hokitika Airport was closed for the night.

Galeforce winds hit South Westland from Harihari to Fox Glacier.

The stormy weather led to nearly 200 preschools and schools being closed in Nelson, Marlborough, West Coast, Canterbury, Wellington and Taranaki, affecting more than 20,000 pupils and preschoolers.

Nearly 23,000 properties were reported to be without power in Taranaki last night.

Otago Regional Council engineering, hazards and science director Gavin Palmer said rainfall for North Otago was expected to peak at 10mm to 15mm per hour, and residents should be aware of rapidly rising water levels in rivers.

Peak river flows of about 130 cubic metres per second were expected between 3am and 5am today in the Kakanui River (Clifton Falls site).

‘‘At this level of river flow, there is likely to be surface flooding around some North Otago rivers.’’

He said widespread rain was also expected for Central Otago and Maniototo, and MetService predicted rainfall totals of up to 7080mm until noon or 1pm today.

Dr Palmer said minor surface ponding was expected, but he was not expecting flooding in Dunedin or on the Taieri flood plain from the Taieri River.

Dunedin City Council communications adviser Sarah Bedford said the intensities of rainfall predicted would typically cause surface ponding in parts of Dunedin and could cause disruptions to travel.

‘‘As a precaution, staff and contractors have been working to ensure systems are clear and running well.’’

She said council would continue to monitor the situation and staff and contractors were on standby in case the situation worsened.

Warrington Reserve was closed to freedom campers last night because of rain and flooding, she said.

It was recommended Dunedin residents keep up to date with what was happening with the weather, and for advice about what to do if the rain gets worse, by visiting the DCC and ORC websites, listening to the radio and using other media.