Storm clean up begins after floods
It will take several days before councils are able to count the cost of this week’s flooding, which has closed roads throughout Southland and the Clutha district.
Dairy NZ said farmers in Southland and South Otago are experiencing challenging times due to high rainfall. In an email to farmers on Wednesday, it gave them advice about managing regrassing programmes, crop sowing and dairy effluent management after flooding.
MetService meteorologist Claire Flynn said weather over New Zealand was expected to become settled over most of the country during the weekend.
The exception to this is a front affecting the southern half of the South Island, bringing scattered rain and gradually spreading as far north as Canterbury.
‘‘With the more settled end to the week, temperatures are also expected to warm up.
‘‘Alexandra is expecting a high of up to 28C today, so people will definitely feel the difference.’’
The Southland District Council said yesterday that contractors were still assessing damage and some roads were still affected by flooding after the province was lashed by thunderstorms and heavy rain for six days.
Nine Mile Rd, from Waimea Valley Rd to McAlister Rd, Counsell Rd from Helena Rd to Mill Rd North, Taramoa and Ellis roads are all closed.
Hall Rd and Lora Gorge Rd are closed but open to locals, because remedial works are required.
Heale Ridge Rd was closed due to a slip, but had some access for farmers and Otapiri Gorge Rd remained closed from Shand Rd through to Mathews Rd.
Yesterday morning, a grader and tractor was used to free a car stuck in floodwaters near
‘‘With the more settled end to the week, temperatures are also expected to warm up.’’ MetService meteorologist Claire Flynn
Makarewa. The car, on Counsell Rd, was submerged up to its bonnet, and stuck in the middle of the rural road.
Police at the scene assisted the two occupants trapped in the vehicle.
Part of the nearby Makarewa River has burst part of its banks and flooded paddocks nearby.
A police officer at the scene waded in to the water to attach the tow rope to the truck said the water was more than a metre deep.
The council said there was a crash on Mathews Rd, which is the detour road for Otapiri Gorge Rd, so a temporary speed restriction would be installed.
Police said two vehicles collided on the road at 7.50am yesterday.
Two people were taken to hospital by someone at the scene, but there was no indication that the crash was caused by flooding.
Motorists are urged to drive with caution or avoid the area.
The council said roading contractors were prioritising roading work based on risk and impact.
In the Gore district, River Road between Ontario St and Diamond Peak Rd; and between Heaps Rd and Old Coach Rd, MacGibbon Rd, River St between the Blue Sky plant and Salford St and Woolwich St from the flood bank to Boundary Rd would remain closed last night and be reassessed early this morning. Helen Christian, left, is presented with a Christmas hamper by Izaya Simeon, 14, and his mother, Haylee Simeon, in Bluff yesterday. The Simeons, of Bluff, with help from family, friends, organisations and businesses, give Christmas hampers, cards and crackers to Bluff residents every year. By Sunday night all households will have received a homemade Christmas cracker or card, while 100 hampers are to be made up the following weekend and delivered to the elderly. Haylee said some residents were overwhelmed to receive a gift.
‘‘For some people, it’ll be the only present they get at Christmas. They are so grateful . . . they get emotional and so do we.’’