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.

Media Update #4

Time: 15.25 Friday 2 February 2018

Westland District Council wishes to advise that the 117 motorists stranded overnight between Fox Glacier and Franz Josef have been safely relocated to Fox Glacier. We still have limited communication with Fox Glacier due to cell and landline networks being down. Fox Glacier also has no power. We are endeavouring to fly in a generator to the Fox Glacier water treatment plant later today via helicopter. We are encouraging stranded tourists in Haast to stay put.

Clearing the slip between Fox Glacier and Franz Josef at Omoeroa is one of the major challenges. It is approximately 60 metres in length. The slip has been assessed and a 30 tonne digger is needed to clear it – this will be unable to arrive until nightfall and therefore this road will not be able to be reopened tonight.

Our aspiration is to be able to clear the road from Franz Josef to Whataroa and Whataroa to Ross by end of today if possible and have two-lane access available to allow people in Franz Josef to exit northbound. It remains unclear whether we will be able to clear the Fox Glacier to Franz Josef road within this timeframe.

Power in Franz Josef will be restored by 8PM tonight. Additional electricity workers are coming over from Ashburton to assist with getting power up and running across the region as quickly as possible.

A generator for the Whataroa water treatment plant has been brought in and installed. A generator is being airlifted into Franz water treatment plant later today (in addition to the one for Fox Glacier) and an additional sewerage pump for Franz Josef.

Douglas Bluff slip south of Haast is still a barrier that prevents people from exiting Haast southbound. An additional slip is on the same stretch of road at Clarke Bluff. Prolonged delays are expected.

Some building damage has been reported throughout the area including at Hunt’s Beach and the Jacob’s River Community Church was severely damaged last night due to the strong winds. Building inspectors were inspecting seafront properties in Hokitika for any damage.

Communities in Okarito are also of concern due to isolation.

Council staff, volunteers and contractors are continuing their work today.

State Highway 6 from Ross south through to Makarora is closed until further notice. Power remains intermittent and vulnerable through the District.

Public safety remains our highest priority both for residents, tourists, volunteers, contractors and staff.

ENDS

Dated at Hokitika this 2nd day of February 2018. Time 15.25pm

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