Westland District Council Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Severe Weather Update – Westland

Westland District Council has activated a Level 3 Emergency Operations Centre in response to severe weather across all of Westland. This is not yet a declared Civil Defence emergency.

Major issues at present include:

• Stranded motorists in the vicinity of Fox Glacier: approximately 90 people affected. These motorist’s will stay in place overnight and they will receive assistance as a priority first thing in the morning as conditions allow, Radio contact has been achieved with these affected parties. There is no immediate danger. They have water and shelter.

• Power interruptions across all of Westland. Network is fragile and residents are encouraged to use power sparingly. Some areas don’t have power at all and the power supply for these regions may take up to 48 hours to restore. There are fallen power lines across some roads. Residents are requested to treat all power lines as live as at times.

• Haast River reached exceptionally high levels at 4PM today but the latest river information indicates that river flow is decreasing. Other rivers are not a significant concern at present and are also decreasing. Regular monitoring is taking place as the situation can change quickly.The Wahio river in Franz Josef is currently running below its first alarm level

• A Welfare Centre has been set up in Hokitika at the Hokitika Boys Brigade building at 290 Hampden Street. This has the capacity to provide food and lodgings overnight for 500 people. 30 people are currently being accommodated here

• Fox Glacier, Franz Josef, Whataroa and Haast are currently isolated because of fallen trees, slips and power lines across the road. State Highway 6 south of Hari Hari through to Makarora is currently closed and will not be reopened until morning.

• All available accommodation in Hari Hari is full. People in Hari Hari who have not secured safe lodgings for tonight are advised to make their way north to Hokitika where emergency accommodation can be arranged.

• Because of loss of power, water supply could be compromised. All public water supplies in Westland are on conserve water notices until further notice.

• Wastewater systems are believed to be holding up adequately at present, however, residents are encouraged to avoid excessive flushing to minimise strain to network.

• Council will have access to helicopters tomorrow and has tasked them with flyovers on remote road areas when weather allows. The first flights arranged for 6:30am Friday morning once visibility and weather conditions improve.

• High tide is at 00:55am Friday morning. It can be expected that more storm sea surges may occur. Residents and tourists are to stay clear of coastal areas where possible. The weather is expected to improve from midday tomorrow

• The EOC will be running throughout the night. Council staff, volunteers and contractors are working throughout the night to ensure public safety which is our highest priority.

• Council requests that residents treat all Stormwater flooding as contaminated. Please check in on elderly neighbours and vulnerable members of your community.

• Issues can be reported by ringing Westland District Council on 03-756-9010. Overnight the answerphone message has options for after hours support.

ENDS

Dated at Hokitika this 2nd day of February 2018. Time 20.30

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