States of emergency:
Weather wreaks havoc
Dunedin, Timaru, Waitaki and the wider Otago region were all under states of emergency last night as a severe storm ripped across much of the country, causing widespread slips and flooding, avalanche warnings, power outrages, cancelled flights and numerous traffic disruptions.
Unusually, Wellington escaped the brunt of the storm, though a mid-afternoon slip on the Johnsonville railway line halted trains and disrupted the evening commute.
Gale-force southerlies are expected to arrive in the capital by this afternoon.
Those in flood-prone areas in the South Canterbury region were preparing for evacuation as the Defence Force and Civil Defence were called in to help, with homes flooded in Ashburton.
Further south, the Highlanders Super Rugby side was looking for alternative travel arrangements for its playoff match against the Crusaders in Christchurch, after its flight from Dunedin was cancelled due to the wild weather.
Highlanders chief executive Roger Clark said the side might have to take a chartered flight to get them to the game at AMI Stadium.
A severe weather watch remains in place for most of the country until midday today.
Heavy rain warnings were in place for Canterbury, North Otago and Dunedin overnight but the rain was expected to ease by this afternoon, MetService duty forecaster Raveen Das said.
Sandbags were being prepared in Ashburton and Dunedin to combat flooding last night, while nearly 1000 properties lost power across Mid Canterbury yesterday afternoon.
Flooding also closed roads throughout Canterbury, and trapped drivers had to be rescued from their cars in floodwaters near Rakaia.
As of last night, the only highway connecting the Canterbury and Otago regions was State Highway 8 between Twizel and Omarama.
Parts of Canterbury recorded well over 100 millimetres of rain from 7am to 7pm, with Rocky Gully being doused with 138.5mm and Geraldine Forest copping 122mm.
An average of 40mm to 50mm was expected across the region from last night until 7am today.
In Otago, Swampy Spur and Lamb Hill both received 70mm of rain in a 12-hour period yesterday.
Wave height combined with potential king tides could cause some problems in coastal areas of Dunedin this morning.
A Dunedin Civil Defence spokesman warned residents in flood-prone areas of the southern city to be ready to leave if necessary.
‘‘We’re preparing to evacuate people from some parts of Mosgiel if that is required.’’
He said heavy rain had infiltrated the wastewater system. ‘‘So manhole covers on the wastewater system, that’s the sewerage, have been forced up in both Surrey St in South Dunedin and in North Rd in North East Valley.’’
Wastewater was overflowing into the roads. ‘‘People should be keeping out of them because they need to treat them as contaminated.’’
The storm was caused by a deep low east of Banks Peninsula, with an active trough that was due to move through the North Island last night, Das said.
The heavy rain was due to move east today and strong winds were also expected to ease in most places.
Avalanche risk warnings remained in place in the Canterbury and Otago back country, as well as Tongariro, and trampers, hunters and skiers were warned to steer clear of the areas.
Storms also cut power to about 100 people on the North Island’s East Coast and the Wairoa region, with trees coming down on several power poles and lines. Eastland Network said some people could be without electricity into next week.