| infonews.co.nz | INDEX |
| Not a member? Sign up now! |
Marlborough flooding recedes slowly but many roads still closed
Roads around Marlborough remain closed today with rain continuing and river levels receding only slowly.
Caution is advised for all traffic on State Highway One between Clarence and Kaikoura where flooding has occurred.
Road access is now possible to Waihopai Valley properties in Tyntesfield Road after the area was cut off by floodwaters for 24 hours. Para Road and Speeds Road, between Blenheim and Picton, have reopened and the Awatere Valley Road is open again.
However at about a dozen other points, between Blenheim and Renwick, to the east of Blenheim and in Seddon, water has not receded sufficiently to re-open the roads yet.
In Queen Charlotte Drive, at Mahakipawa, and in the Awatere Valley slips have reduced traffic to one lane.
No significant rain has fallen since midnight at the headwaters of the Omaka or Taylor Rivers but there is no indication yet as to how long it is likely to take for flooded fords to clear.
Marlborough District Council staff are monitoring the river levels and watching the weather as more rain is forecast for tonight.
Council Assets and Services manager Mark Wheeler is warning drivers not to attempt to cross flooded fords.
Dips in the road can be deceptive and water levels in the fords can be deeper than they look, he said.
Mr Wheeler also warns that, where floodwaters are still covering the road, it’s impossible to know whether there has been damage to road surfaces.
Position at 8.30 am Thursday 2 August 2012
Roads that have been reopened:
Roads that are closed:
Extreme caution required:
Other:
State Highway 1