Check Transport for Christchurch website for road closures - 12.30pm update

Christchurch motorists are advised to check local road closures online and avoid driving through areas of surface flooding as they travel through the city.

Extreme care should be taken when driving through surface flooding caused by recent high rainfall. Roads have been closed across the city in the worst-affected areas.

Go online to www.transportforchristchurch.govt.nz to find the latest information about road closures due to flooding.

Contractors have reported several cases of motorists driving through road closures and the area of Avonside Drive near Porritt Park is now being staffed to ensure no one drives through.

Council’s Transport and Greenspace Unit Manager Alan Beuzenberg says there are two potential issues with people driving through flooded areas. "The first is the bow wave caused by the vehicle, which can push water onto properties and put houses at risk. The second is the condition of the road underneath – the earthquakes have caused damage on the roads and you can’t see where potholes or hollows may have become bigger due to the flooding.

"It is very important that you do not drive through roads that have been closed and that, if you come across surface flooding, you drive very slowly."

Staff and contractors are monitoring the worst-affected areas ahead of high-tide around 2pm today. High tide is likely to increase surface flooding levels in those areas usually prone to flooding.

"If you are concerned about rising flood levels reaching your home call the Council’s Call Centre on (03) 941 8999 or 0800 800 169 ," Mr Beuzenberg says.

Eastern suburbs around the lower reaches of the Avon and Heathcote rivers, and areas around the Lower Styx River, have been particularly affected as they are during any time of high rainfall. The area around Dudley Creek and St Albans Creek has also been affected and sand-bagging has been carried out to protect some buildings.

Rainfall has been higher in Banks Peninsula than other areas of the city and Akaroa has seen a number of slips and trees coming down on to roads. Canterbury Street in Lyttelton has been sand-bagged and there are a number of slips on the road between Lyttelton and Governors Bay. The road from Governors Bay to Diamond Harbour is less-affected, however it is possible road closures may be required on the Teddington straight around high tide. Several crews are working to address the issues on Banks Peninsula.

Contractors are preparing to work through the night again tonight to continue monitoring and clearing stormwater networks where necessary.

Take care on city roads - Monday 13 August 2012, 10.30am

Christchurch City Council staff and contractors continue to monitor surface flooding issues across the city and are taking steps to address the worst-affected areas.Motorists are advised to take extreme care when driving on city roads. There have been cases where the bow wave from vehicles driving through flooded areas has placed houses at risk of flooding.

Council’s Transport and Greenspace Unit Manager Alan Beuzenberg says it is very important that motorists follow road closure signage and drive slowly through flooded roads.

“As well as the issues of bow-waves caused by vehicles, we are also concerned about the condition of the road under the water. Drivers won’t be able to see any potholes, and hollows in the road caused by the earthquakes that may have become larger as a result of flooding.”

Around 50 Council staff and contractors are currently out and about across the city, monitoring the worst-affected areas and taking steps to address surface flooding including: closing roads, sand-bagging and clearing blockages in the stormwater system.

High tide is due around 2pm today, and this is expected to increase surface flooding levels in those areas that are usually affected in high tides during heavy rainfall.

The Heathcote River has burst its banks in the usual spots along the lower reaches and road closures are in place on: Richardson Terrace, Clarendon Terrace, Aynsley Terrace and Eastern Terrace. Road closures are also in place around the lower reaches of the Avon River along sections of New Brighton Road. Staff continue to monitor worst-affected areas of the city and road closures are being put in place as necessary.

Dudley Creek and St Albans Creek are now running at capacity and surface flooding is affecting these areas.

Banks Peninsula roads have been badly affected by the rain and motorists are advised to take extreme caution when driving. Streams have burst their banks at Akaroa and Duvauchelle. Roads closed are: Purau to Port Levy Road, Akaroa Summit Road – Pigeon Bay to Little Akaloa and Okains Bay Road – Duvauchelle to Okains Bay.

Mr Beuzenberg says the main issue remains surface flooding, and it is not expected that high tide this afternoon will see houses at risk. However, staff continue to monitor these areas and are taking steps to address the situation as necessary.

Ongoing updates will be provided throughout the day.