A deluge of heavy rain and strong winds has hit parts of the South Island with forecasters warning there is more to come.
Metservice has issued an orange heavy rain warning for Westland south of Otira, the headwaters of the Canterbury and Otago lakes and Fiordland. They are expected tolift throughout this evening and tomorrow afternoon.
Tree taking out powerlines in Sheffield. Photo / George Heard
An orange strong wind warning is also in place for Marlborough, Canterbury, Otago, Fiordland, Southland and Stewart Island.
Orange warnings indicate a likelihood of significant disruption and potential risk to animals, people and property.
Due to strong winds, motorists have been urged to use caution on a number of state highways.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency says there are strong wind warnings on the following roads:
β’ SH1 Rakaia to Timaru β’ SH77 Methven to Windwhistle β’ SH79 Fairlie to Geraldine β’ SH80 Lake Pukaki to Aoraki Mt Cook
Caravans, campervans, high-sided vehicles and motor bikes should also be careful on SH73 Springfield to Arthurs Pass and SH8 Omarama to Fairlie.
The Haast Pass is closed due to fallen trees. SH94 Te Anau to Milford is also closed due to increased avalanche risk and is not expected to open today.
SH 8 Haast to Makarora was closed on Monday. Photo / Supplied
SH82 in Waimate was closed near the Hollands Bridge due to fallen trees but has sinsce reopened.
"Road users are advised to avoid the area or consider delaying your journey until this has been cleared," an NZTA spokesperson said.
MetService meteorologist Tui McInnes said the weather could become quite hazardous.
"That rain has to go somewhere and of course that rain drains into the rivers. Further to that, we've got the strong winds associated with this, which means it's good to be careful and keep an eye out because we're going to have some potentially quite hazardous conditions about for the next couple of days."
Increased runoff is expected to be pushed into alpine and foothill rivers.
Parts of the Ashburton River are expected to see water flows that will test flood protection works in the area.
Environment Canterbury duty flood controller Chris Firth said while this weather is typical for this time of year, a combination of other factors will heighten its effects.
