Storm effects receding, but could rebound

By Kira Carrington, Local Democracy Reporter

Marlborough roads have begun to reopen after heavy rain felled trees and caused slips throughout the region.

Marlborough Roads crews were out across the region assessing roads, monitoring flood levels, and clearing debris, Marlborough District Council said in a statement at 9:25am on Wednesday.

Marlborough’s first red rain warning had since lifted, but a heavy rain watch remained in place in south Marlborough and north Canterbury until 6pm Thursday. Marlborough Sounds would be under a strong wind watch from 6pm Wednesday until 6pm Thursday.

NZTA confirmed State Highway 63 had reopened between Renwick and St Arnaud by 9:30am, but remained closed between Howard Valley Rd and Kawatiri Junction. Work to clear fallen trees had continued with the hope of reopening the road in the afternoon or evening.

State Highway 1 remained closed between Ward and Waipara, with NZTA to provide further updates later in the morning. People driving between Picton and Christchurch would need to travel via Nelson, Springs Junction and Waipara on State Highway 6, significantly extending the journey time.

Drivers were urged to exercise caution on SH1 from Blenheim to Picton.

State Highway 6 between McLauchlan St and SH1 also remained closed, with local detours available. Drivers were urged to exercise “extreme caution” travelling on SH6 from the SH63 intersection north of Renwick through to the Rai Saddle.

Queen Charlotte Drive between Havelock and Grove Jetty had reopened, after floodwaters receded. However, the road remained closed between Grove Jetty and Picton due to multiple slips.

Roads had reopened at Anakiwa Rd, Tapps Rd and Wakamarina Rd, and Kaituna-Tuamarina Rd and Waikakaho Rd.

Kenepuru Rd was opened to one lane with a slip at Ōnahau Bay partially blocking the road. Drivers were advised to exercise caution as there were other small slips along the road.

Port Underwood Rd was open to one lane, for 4WD vehicles only, after trees came down near Whatamango Bay. Crews were onsite working to restore access, council said.

Multiple people were evacuated from a Blenheim holiday Park on Tuesday night due to flooding from the Ōpaoa River.

Conditions monitored

Marlborough mayor Nadine Taylor said on Tuesday afternoon that while the emergency management team was still monitoring the situation, “everything is going as we would expect”.

“We're not seeing a great impact on the Wairau [River]. It is hitting the east coast, but those rivers are managing it. The Taylor River is high, but it's doing its job as a floodway reserve. We're monitoring Picton and the Waitohi River.”

Taylor said the emergency team was keeping in contact with various communities, such as lifestyle block owners in Onamalutu, where there was “quite a bit of surface flooding”.

Taylor praised the efforts of the multi-agency emergency response team, saying she “couldn't speak more positively about the way the agencies have worked together”.

They would have a full debrief of the flood event in a few days’ time, as with every flood event, “we learn, we adapt, and we improve”.

Taylor said residents needed to stay off the roads, treat any floodwaters as contaminated, and to download the Antenno app for regular updates.

“The more information we can give people, so that they can prepare and self-help, the better.”

Drivers should check road and weather conditions before travelling and drive to the conditions, by reducing speed, using headlights, and prepare for weather-related hazards, NZTA said in a statement on Tuesday.

“Never drive through floodwaters. They may hide hidden dangers and currents may be deceptively strong.”

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.