Stuff reporters13:03, May 31 2021
KAREN CHAPPELL
High flood waters on the Waimakariri River after heavy rain in the Canterbury region.
Two state highways hit by severe flooding in Canterbury are not expected to reopen for at least another day as heavy rain and flooding continues to batter the region. The rain is expected to start easing on Monday and clear on Tuesday, but deep flooding on State Highway 1 from the Waikirikiri/Selwyn River near Dunsandel, south of Christchurch, meant the road was unlikely to reopen for another day. “In North Canterbury, rain is continuing and we have a number of areas we need to assess, for example SH73, Porter’s Pass to the West Coast, which will remain closed,” Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency journey manager Tresca Forrester said.
FLOODING LATEST The only way north out of Ashburton is by air - 17 roads shut, four bridges damaged and not passable, mayor says. Civil Defence orders residents of the low-lying areas of The Pines Beach, Coopers Creek to evacuate. State of emergency declared for entire Canterbury region after heavy rain and flooding Christchurch residents warned to conserve water over wastewater concerns. The Ashburton river is 1m away from bursting its banks, Acting Minister for Emergency Management Kris Faafoi says. Ten state highway closures in place throughout Canterbury. MetService extends the heavy rain warnings for the region.
People in parts of Canterbury are being ordered to head to higher ground as weather authorities extend a heavy rain warning for the region.