Civil Defence media release: surface water flooding
**Issued by Environment Canterbury on behalf of CDEM Canterbury Group**

Friday, 21 July, 1300
MEDIA STATEMENT #1
Surface Water Flooding

Due to the current weather conditions there is severe surface water flooding in the following areas:
• Ashburton
• Timaru
• Banks Peninsula
• Christchurch

Local authorities, emergency services, the NZ Transport Agency, and the Canterbury Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Group are all coordinating their response to this weather event. Timaru and Ashburton councils have activated their Civil Defence Emergency Operations Centres.

We advise:
• Any residents with concerns about flooding on their property, should contact their local council in the first instance
• Motorists in the affected areas should take extreme care
• Follow instructions of signs, contractors and emergency services
• Avoid driving through flood water if possible - if you must drive in these areas, please slow down
• Roads will close at short notice – consider traveling sooner before conditions worsen
• Watch council websites for detailed updates on the situation, as well as the NZTA website for the status of state highways http://www.nzta.govt.nz/
• For Canterbury traffic: http://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic/regions/11
• For Christchurch road closures: http://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/christchurch

For more information look on the below website:
• Canterbury: https://www.facebook.com/CanterburyEM/
• Ashburton: https://www.facebook.com/AshburtonDC/
• Christchurch: https://www.facebook.com/ChristchurchCDEM/
• Christchurch: https://www.ccc.govt.nz/news-and-events/newsline/
• Timaru: https://www.facebook.com/TimaruDC/
We will release further statements as the situation evolves and more information becomes available.

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