Kowhai River breaches banks

RNZ

Kaikōura District Council has declared a state of emergency, with people asked to evacuate to higher ground.

The Kowhai River has breached its banks causing serious flooding, State Highway 1 is closed between Ward in Marlborough and Waipara in North Canterbury and power is out to homes near in Kaikōura.

Abandoned cars are lining the side of a highway and areas are losing power as the deluge moves up the country.

A red heavy rain warning for Marlborough and Canterbury between Ward and Hanmer and southeast of the Awatere Valley, including the Kaikoura ranges, runs until 6am on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, further north there is an orange rain warning and a watch for Wairarapa.

Closures

State Highway closures remain in place today in the central and lower South Island from the current weather event, as further disruption is expected.

The following closures are in place:

State Highway 1 from Ward in Marlborough to Waipara, North Canterbury due to flooding
State Highway 63 from Kawatiri to Howard, West Coast, between State Highway 6 and Howard Valley Road due to fallen trees

New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) also has multiple road area warnings in place around the central and lower south because of the prevailing winter driving conditions, and road users are being urged to travel with extra care and to drive to the conditions.

Forecast

MetService is forecasting heavy rain and snow today through inland Canterbury to the top of the South Island.

A rare red heavy rain warning is in place for Marlborough and Canterbury between Ward and Hanmer Springs and southeast of the Awatere Valley, including the Kaikoura Range. This red level of warning carries the risk of a threat to life from dangerous river conditions, significant flooding, slips and impassable roads.

Further highway closures may be required today if the weather impacts make it unsafe.

Because of the heavy rainfall and melting snow, there is also a risk of ice build-up in parts of the South Island over the coming days that people should be wary of. Roading crews will be laying grit and anti-ice agents on the highways to assist vehicle traction.

This story was first published on rnz.co.nz