Intense showers have led to widespread inundations along the western shoreline in New Zealand. Rescue teams are frantically searching for a woman who was last seen around the Haupiri river region.
The water from the rains gathered enough momentum to bring down a bridge close to Arthur’s Pass along the western shoreline. Goat Creek Bridge has also been rendered unserviceable. Arthur’s Pass recorded more than 10 inches of rainfall and Franz Josef, 7-8 inches.
The inundations also cut off many areas along the western strip of the country. Meanwhile, students from the Otago Boys’ High School are stuck in the Mt Aspiring National park. The Ivory Glacier has received more than 15 inches of rain. The Hokitika River is also overflowing due to inundations, although a few more inches of rain are still expected. More than 800 thunderbolts have been recorded in the area in less than thirty minutes.
Many of the major roadways have been voluntarily blocked through the night as a precautionary measure. These include:
- SH 6 that connects Hokitika and Haast, Queenstown and Lumsden (the road heading south next to the Oxford St crossing)
- SH 73 that connects the Arthur’s Pass town with Jackson, and
- SH 2 that connects Wellington and Wairarapa
A warning against strong winds was issued for SH 60, 73 and 7.
More inundations are expected at SH 90 connecting Tapanui and McNab and the SH 1 intersection.
Flights had to be rescheduled at the New Plymouth airport owing to visibility issues. Air currents were most intense in Lumsden, Southland and Le Bons Bay, Banks Peninsula.
Schools
Educational establishments had to be closed. While the police forces are doing their best to safely guide the boys and girls home, many had to sleep over on campus. The Ministry of Education has mobilized aid and distribution of essentials. Meanwhile, parents are being engaged through emergency communication channels.
The impacted institutions are:
- Whataroa School,
- Haast School,
- Ross School,
- Kokatihi-Kowhitirangi School,
- Kaniere School,
- Westland High School,
- Hokitika School and
- St Mary’s School Hokitika
Besides disruption to utility services due to inundations, heavy snowfall is also expected in specific places along the western shoreline in specific places.
- Arthur’s Pass (SH73) – 12cm
- Porter’s Pass (SH73) – 10cm
- Lindis Pass (SH8) – 8cm
- Crown Range Road – 1cm
Severe conditions, including rain and storm, have hit the Aoraki/Mt Cook and Arthurs Pass regions. Officials have strongly warned against backcountry travel.