Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is urging road users to think ahead and carefully consider the need to travel tomorrow as severe weather is expected to strike the South Island.
MetService has rare ‘red’ strong wind warnings in place from tomorrow morning for Christchurch, the Canterbury Plains and the Canterbury high country, with gale force northwesterlies expected to gust up to 150km/h. The red wind warning signifies that there is a potential threat to life from flying items, falling trees and powerlines, and dangerous driving conditions.
Lesser orange strong wind warnings are in place for Otago, Fiordland, Clutha, Southland and Stewart Island, and a strong wind watch is in effect tomorrow for Westland and the Buller and Grey Districts.
The warnings come as State Highway 1 between Blenheim and Kaikōura reopened this morning after high winds contributed to a series of vehicle crashes, fires, and fallen trees and powerlines.
“We’ve had a fresh reminder of the damage that gale force winds like these can cause, and the risk they pose to road users,” says NZTA system manager for the central and lower South Island, Mark Pinner.
“The danger is especially high for those operating motorcycles, high-sided vehicles such as campervans and unladen trucks, and towing vehicles. Our advice to road users is to check out the weather and roading conditions well in advance of heading out onto the roads, and to give some thought to whether your travel is better avoided or delayed while the risk is high.”
“Some people may be thinking of heading away early for the long holiday weekend and hitching up the boat or caravan, but we want people to put the safety of themselves and their families first. The weather conditions may seem benign at first, but they can quickly escalate during a lengthy journey.”
In addition to the strong wind warnings, MetService has orange heavy rain warnings in place tomorrow for the headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers, the Ranges of Westland, and the headwaters of the Otago lakes and rivers. Heavy rain watches are in place for the Buller and Grey Districts, and Westland away from the Ranges.
Areas such as the West Coast have been hit hard recently by several bouts of heavy rain, leading to slips and surface flooding that have closed state highways.
“People should be aware that when the ground is already saturated, and you get further heavy rain, the risk of further flooding and slips is much higher, and these can occur earlier into a weather event than usual as well,” Mr Pinner says.
As seen earlier in the week, the conditions tomorrow could mean state highway closures or restrictions where necessary to ensure public safety.
State Highway 7 between Springs Junction and the Hanmer Springs turnoff remains closed today after flooding and erosion of the highway from the waters of Boyle River. Roading teams are working to place rock to protect the remaining road where the erosion has taken place, from heavy rain expected tomorrow.
A gravel road widening is also planned with a view to providing at least a single lane open in the coming days on this affected stretch of SH7 near Engineers Camp, subject to progress at the site.
Erosion of State Highway 7 that roading teams are now working on.
MetService’s map of weather warnings tomorrow for the South Island.