Bridges, roads and drains under pressure from flooding

Roads and bridges around Southland are under continuing pressure from the rising floodwaters in the province.

Heavy overnight rain has caused the majority of rivers and streams in Southland to rise, with some at flood levels.

That water is now going across roads and bridges, with at least 15 roads closed as of 3.30pm, Southland District Council assets and services group manager Cameron McIntosh said.

“Roads are becoming impassable quicker than can be checked so we are advising all motorists to stay at home. Please only travel if you really have to and exercise extreme caution at all time.”

Particularly hard hit is the Te Anau basin, with the Key-Blackmount Road the only way to reach Te Anau. However, that road still has water over it and extreme caution is needed.

Several roads around Te Anau are closed and stormwater is putting some pressure on the pumping systems.
However, the oxidation ponds are safe and water levels in the nearby Upukerora River have dropped since this morning.

Communication with Te Anau has been out since mid-afternoon when it is believed a telecommunications fibre-optic cable was damaged as a result of the floodwaters.
The Fire Service and Fulton Hogan are trying to drain streets around Winton, with flooding running into some buildings in the township. Flood levels in Winton are diminishing due to a decrease in rainfall.

Stormwater drains outside the Senior Citizens’ Building in Riverton have been blocked and have caused some flooding and the road is flooded on the north side of the Main and Lieman Streets corner in Otautau.

Users of the Lumsden Balfour water supply have been told to both boil and conserve any water they use for at least the next 24 hours as floodwaters have entered the supply system.

More rain is expected to fall through to about 6am tomorrow and the rivers will continue to be monitored by Environment Southland.