Southlanders Urged To Stay Off Roads

Southland roads are in a treacherous state and the public is being advised to stay home and avoid all non-essential travel this morning.

State Highway 6 between Invercargill and Queenstown has reopened this morning to vehicles carrying chains, but is closed to towing vehicles.

SH93 – the back road between Mataura and Clinton – is closed.

At 7am, SH 1 between Gore and Clinton was assessed as marginal.

Information is not yet available on the rest of the Southland roading network, but Neil Cruickshank, Manager of Emergency Management Southland, said that anyone who had to travel in hill country areas should carry chains and fit them where necessary.

“You have to assume that all country roads will be marginal, if not impassable,” Mr Cruickshank said.

“We strongly advise people to stay home at least until mid morning today. The roads are treacherous and footpaths are very slippery everywhere,” he said.

The Automobile Association’s website carries the latest information on the State Highway network – www.aa.co.nz

There have been no reports of sustained power outages in the region.

The weather conditions are forecast to improve this morning.

Information for farmers to help them deal with snow is also online at www.civildefence.co.nz