Aerial photos reveal devastation left behind from West Coast deluge

March 27, 2019
Aerial picture of flooding aftermath on the West Coast near Franz Josef.

Aerial photos have revealed the devastation left behind from a deluge in the West Coast region yesterday.

A state of emergency remains in place for the Westland District as the wild weather moves north.

West Coast Civil Defence released aerial photos of the destruction caused by swollen rivers that included the collapse of the Waiho Bridge near Franz Josef.

Aerial view of Waiho Bridge after collapse.

Another image shows small planes stuck in floodwaters and mud not going anywhere fast.

Aerial picture of flooding aftermath on the West Coast.

Simon Bastion from Civil Defence says 50 people are stranded in Haast and 450 tourists are stranded in Franz Josef.

A welfare centre at Haast has opened.

Aerial picture of flooding aftermath on the West Coast.

A community information centre has also been opened at Hokitika iSite to assist with any displaced residents and tourists.

After being fully closed yesterday, State Highway 6 from Hokitika to Makarora has now had one lane reopened.

TVNZ’s Julian Lee reports from the West Coast town.

The worst of the weather remains over for the West Coast, but is moving north.

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