West Coast state of emergency lifted, State Highway 6 reopens

The state of emergency in Westland has been lifted as weather eases and roads reopen.

Civil Defence declared a local state of emergency yesterday as the region prepared for what was expected to be torrential downpours overnight.

But by 11am on Saturday, MetService had lifted all weather warnings for the Westland, Grey and Buller regions.

State Highway 6 between Ross and Makarora has also reopened.

Westland District Mayor Helen Lash told the Herald she was proud of the way emergency teams had responded to the weather.

“We got through this unscathed, but I do not doubt that at some stage we’ll have an event where we won’t, but I’ve got full confidence in the systems.

“Residents all just bunkered down and stayed put and were prepared for any situation,” she said on Saturday.

She confirmed to the Herald there were no major injuries or damage to properties.

“There was minor property damage, such as rivers cutting tracks, and we’ve just got isolated areas where rivers have flowed over into paddocks, and creeks have burst their banks and gotten into paddocks.”

Lash said their priority for the past 24 hours had been the safety of people.

“Our tourists, locals and emergency service personnel. Without knowing which way the weather was going to go, it was important that we had everything in place to be able to react immediately if needed.

“We’ve been fortunate this time around, but it’s great to know that we have the skill and expertise on hand to respond to these events as and when we need to.”

Emergency management teams worked through the night monitoring rain and river levels, and Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell was also on hand late yesterday and this morning.

”We have an incredible, tight-knit team of individuals who put the needs of our community ahead of their own, and who work together like a well-oiled machine. That has been recognised by the minister and I add my appreciation as well,” Lash said.

West Coast Emergency Management Group controller Te Aroha Cook acknowledged the positive and immediate response of the public to the closure of SH6.

”We appreciate that it may have taken some people by surprise and caused some inconvenience.

“However, we’ve had very positive feedback from locals and tourists alike who have universally understood that safety is paramount.

“This has been a good test of our emergency response activities and I have complete confidence that our teams can and will be incredibly effective if and when we need them in the future.”