26 August 2008 – 11.20 a.m

CIVIL DEFENCE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

MEDIA STATEMENT

Kaikoura Update

Heavy rain fell overnight and is continuing to fall throughout the district. The local rivers are coping with the increased volumes of water, however there is flooding throughout the district with surface water on roads and ponding occurring on farmland. Some residents are without power.

State Highway 1 is closed both north and south of Kaikoura due to slips on the roads, especially south, and the railway line is also closed with Billy Goat Bay still affected by slippage. Kaikoura Civil Defence says that inland roads are closed and that motorists are to avoid driving in the district.

Kaikoura Civil Defence EOC remains active and will continue to monitor the situation.

Hurunui District Update

Hurunui Civil Defence EOC has been stood down; however the district council continues to monitor the situation. Local river levels have dropped. Road closures remain in place throughout the district; inland roads are closed due to flooding and slips, Hanmer Springs is isolated. Motorists are advised to avoid making journeys throughout the Hurunui district.

There have been a number of breakages in water supply, with the most serious incident being at Cheviot and Hurunui District Civil Defence advises that this could take between 7 and 9 days to repair. The Hurunui District Council is making arrangements for drinking water to be brought into the affected area. Residents are advised to conserve and boil water for 10 minutes before use.

Waimakariri District Update

Waimakariri District Civil Defence EOC has been stood down although it continues to monitor the situation. There is still surface flooding however flood and river levels are dropping. Roads in the district remain open and there are no reports of infrastructure issues.

Christchurch City Council

There are no issues reported for Christchurch city however there are a number of minor slips around Banks Peninsula and motorists are advised that roads are down to one lane in some of the bays and that driver caution is advised.

Selwyn District Update

Selwyn District Civil Defence EOC remains activated. The Selwyn River is flowing freely, however there is concern regarding the levels in the smaller tributaries that feed the river. There is surface flooding on roads in the district with roads around Coe’s Ford closed and the district’s fords themselves are closed.

Note: State Highway 1 north and south of Kaikoura is closed as are the inland roads throughout Canterbury. The only route north is State Highway 7 through the Lewis Pass; however motorists are advised not to travel in the Hurunui and Kaikoura districts.

ENDS

© Scoop Media