Weather: Floods and slips close roads in Bay of Plenty, Canterbury

Slips and flooding forced the closure of multiple sections of State Highway 2 in the Bay of Plenty and Gisborne areas today.

And the storm has caused damage in Dunedin.

The road between Kutarere and Taneatua is closed due to flooding, with several key local roads also closed due to flooding.

NZTA said there was no proper detour available, and motorists should consider delaying any trips. The agency expected to reopen the road through the Waimana Gorge later tonight, if water levels dropped enough to allow contractors to sweep the road.

State Highway 2 running through the Waioeka Gorge between Opotiki and Gisborne has recently been reopened but is at risk of being closed again as heavy rains continue.

A third section of the road between Nukuhou and Kutarere is also closed, as is its detour route.

The weather is wreaking havoc across the country.

There are also floods in Otago and Canterbury.

The SH83 between Aviemore and Otematata in Canterbury will be closed until Sunday January 10th due to flooding.

“There is a detour route available and suitable for all vehicles,” said an NZTA spokesperson.

“Take extra care on all roads and plan ahead if you intend to travel the network today.”

The latest Dunedin City Council update revealed the extent of the meteorological slaughter.

“Heavy rains have caused some damage to the city and the region, however, stormwater and transportation networks have performed well given the level of rain we are experiencing,” said a post on the Facebook page of the organization.

“Our contractors are working on the cleanup, however there is still a risk of more rain and thunderstorms later today.

“We will continue to monitor the situation, but there have been some minor slips and downed trees so please be careful on the roads.

“Avoid traveling around Henley as the contractors are clearing up the debris.”

Sandbags are now available at Dunedin Ice Stadium and the Mosgiel Memorial Park parking lots.

A water tanker and more sandbags will be available to Middlemarch residents in the Strath Taieri Community Room this afternoon.

Sandbags will also be available there.

Middlemarch residents are cautioned that they can resume flushing their toilets, but the water may be contaminated.

“The heavy rains that continue overnight may have caused the sewage system to overflow in some places and there may be overflows on the roads,” Dunedin City Council said today.

“People should stay away from floods and treat them as polluted.”

Before 9 a.m., a second warning was issued for drivers to proceed with caution on the roads of Otago.

“Tourists planning to return home, or resume their vacation and travel further afield today in Otago, are advised to check the road conditions before leaving,” said Matt Alley, controller for the Emergency Management Otago group.

“Three state highways remain closed in the region at 8 am, with numerous local roads also affected by surface flooding, slips, landslides and debris.

“In addition to the road problems, some city councils also issued boil-water advisories for communities whose water supplies had been affected by the floods,” he said.

“As people look forward to resuming their travels this morning, we recommend that they check road conditions before leaving, abide by all road closures and detours, and allow additional time to navigate to their destination.”

Festival goers stranded

Two hundred people were stranded after rising waters from the Silverstream disrupted the Whare Flat Folklore Festival, northwest of Dunedin yesterday.

Festival organizer Kathryn Olcott said the ford at Silverstream Valley Rd was closed and festival goers at the site would not be able to leave until this morning.

He couldn’t say exactly how many people were left at the festival.

Some festival goers managed to get out before the closing of the ford shortly after noon yesterday.

The festival’s last night of performances would be held today, he said.

Don’t flush toilets

During the night, Middlemarch residents were advised not to flush their toilets and to avoid drinking water from the holes, as it was likely contaminated.

Dunedin City Council warned this morning that residents and visitors to the area should be careful.

“In inclement weather, the sewage system has been overwhelmed and we ask that you refrain from flushing until further notice,” read a notice.

“Extensive flooding and sewage surcharges have affected Middlemarch and residents are advised not to drink borehole water unless they treat the water with a filter or similar, as it is likely to be contaminated.”

Campers stranded as roads close

With two of the three highway routes leaving Opotiki closed, some visitors to the eastern city of the Bay of Plenty are unable to leave.

Tirohanga Beach Motor Camp manager Julie Munro said the weather and road closures had caused inconvenience for those looking to travel today.

“People have just arrived now, but there were some people who couldn’t get through before and now they have to wait,” he said.

She said the camp had not been flooded.

“It has stopped raining, people are still wet, but the sun is shining brighter. It will be nice, we are sure.”

He said the interruptions had not affected the good humor of the travelers.

“Everything is an integral part of the camp.”

Opotiki Mayor Lyn Riesterer said it had rained a lot overnight and encouraged drivers to be patient.

“It must have been quite heavy in the hills because even though it rained a lot here in Opotiki, it was not a heavy rain,” he said.

“[Motorists] you need to make sure that they are not trying to cut any slips and that they take their time to wait and make sure it is safe.

“I think most of the people traveling from Gisborne, from Rhythm and Vines, had already done so, but our camps are pretty full.”

Riesterer said she could think of worse places to get stuck than Opotiki.

“Check out the i-Site and get the up-to-date information you need. Go and enjoy the city and the museum.”