Rivers in flood as rain continues
Some roads are being affected by flooding in Southland after rivers rose early yesterday morning, after Environment Southland activated its flood warning for the Aparima, Waikaia, Mataura and Oreti rivers.
Yesterday afternoon the Southland District Council advised that water was across the road at the Pyramid Bridge on Riversdale Pyramid Rd, and at Keowns Bridge at Ardlussa, where Keowns Bridge Rd and Plains Station Rd were affected by flooding.
Nokomai Rd, Paddy’s Alley Rd and Riversdale Waikaia Rd were also affected, although the river levels there are dropping, the council said.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency has issued a warning for surface flooding on State Highway 97 from Lowther to Mossburn, at the Lowther Road Intersection, where a 30kph speed restriction was in place.
A warning was also in place for surface flooding on State Highway 6 between Kingston and Lumsden.
Yesterday afternoon, levels were starting to drop in the headwaters, but rivers were rising downstream.
Environment Southland’s update at 3.30pm said the Mataura River was falling at Parawa, but rising at Cattle Flat, Pyramid, Gore, Mataura, Wyndham and Seaward Downs.
The Waikaia River at Waikaia was falling at Waikaia and Mahers Beach, and the Waimea Stream was rising at Mandeville.
The Oreti River was falling at Lumsden Cableway, but rising at Centre Bush and Wallacetown, the Aparima River was rising at Thornbury, and the Waiau River at Te Waewae Lagoon was falling.
The Metservice forecast for Southland for today is for scattered rain or drizzle.