By 3 News online staff
As heavy rain continues to fall in the South Island, severe flooding has caused numerous roads and two schools to close.
Christchurch's Shirley Boys' High School and Christ the King Catholic School have closed due to severe flooding.
A welfare centre has opened at Mairehau Primary School to assist those affected by the weather.
Several Christchurch suburbs are experiencing severe flooding including Beckenham, New Brighton, Northwood, Burnside and Sumner.
A number of roads have closed including Fitzgerald Ave Bridge.
"We ask that motorists please take extreme care when driving and are especially aware of pedestrians and cyclists," says Christchurch City Council's John Mackie.
"We would also remind road users that as a result of surface flooding, puddles forming may conceal potholes."
- VIDEO: Flooding in Christchurch
- North Otago rivers at record levels
- PHOTOS: Flooding closes roads, schools
Civil Defence advises residents covered by the Downlands and Te Moana water supply schemes to boil water used for drinking and cooking, as some discoloured water has been discovered.
All rivers in the Timaru District are being monitored, while river levels are reaching record highs in North Otago, isolating some rural communities and forcing the closure of at least 40 roads.
Civil Defence advises people not to drive unless absolutely necessary, as road conditions remain hazardous due to slips and debris.
Metservice has issued a severe weather warning for south Canterbury, north Otago and Dunedin. Up to 70mm of rain is expected up to 6pm.
People are advised not to take shellfish or swim in Golden Bay, Pohara and Clifton where there have been sewage overflows.
Today's wild weather is another blow after yesterday's torrential rain caused numerous slips and flooding.
Jude Hivon, 63, was killed when a massive landslide demolished her house near Marahau, while more people were evacuated in Nelson overnight.
Contractors spent the night guarding a home in west Auckland that was evacuated due to a land slide. Two adults and two children were forced to leave the home on Titirangi Beach Rd.
The area around the house has been cordoned off and engineers are reassessing the building today.
"Auckland had a good burst of rain yesterday – we're talking about 25mm an hour there, accompanied by some fairly strong northeasterlies," says Ramon Oosterkamp of MetService.
The chaotic weather is set to continue into the week, with a severe cold snap expected as a southerly surge delivers rain and snow to eastern areas of the South Island and Wellington.
Christchurch and Dunedin will struggle to reach 5degC on Thursday and Friday, with snow likely across both cities. There is potential for up to 20cm of snow to fall in Christchurch's hill suburbs.
"There could be some pretty good snow inland Canterbury during the later part of Thursday," says Mr Oosterkamp.
Auckland is likely to receive thunder and hail mid-week.
NZTA South Island road closures and cautions:
- HS83 Seven Mile Rd to Otematata – closed due to flooding
- SH87 Hyde to Kyeburn – closed due to flooding
- SH83 Kurow to Pukeuri – closed due to flooding
- SH1 Maheno to Reidston – closed due to flooding
- SH82 Waimate to Kurow – closed sue to flooding
- SH1 Coast Rd to Waikouaiti – closed due to flooding
- SH1 Pukeuri to Seven Mile Rd – closed due to flooding
- SH90 Tapanui to Waikoikoi – caution, flooding
- SH60 Riwaka to Collingwood – caution, flooding
- SH8 Cromwell to Clyde – caution, rock fall
- SH1 Blenheim to Kaikoura – caution, flooding
- SH85 Palmerston to Dunback – caution, flooding
- SH1 Waitaki Bridge to Palmerston – caution, flooding
- SH82 Canterbury – caution, flooding
3 News
source: newshub archive
