Surface flooding, slips force number of road closures in Otago, Southland

January 2, 2021

Much of the lower South Island has been hit by rain today, January 2.

Surface flooding and slips have forced a number of roads to be closed in Otago and Southland.

Fuchsia Creek Rd, Kakanui Valley Rd, Frenches Rd, Kaura Hill Rd, Weston-Ngapara Rd, Island Cliff Rd and Livingstone Duntroon Rd were closed due to flooding, while Danseys Pass was closed because of a slip, Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher wrote on Facebook.

A section of State Highway 1 from Maheno to Reidston is now closed due to flooding, according to the New Zealand Transport Agency. 

State Highway 87 from Kyeburn to Outram is also closed following a washout at Kokonga Bridge. 

Fire and Emergency NZ have received three weather related calls so far, with crews attending a crash on Te Anau-Milford Highway, where there's surface flooding.

Emergency Management Southland turned on its flood warning system to advise of rising rivers, with the upper Waikaia River currently affected.

NIWA Weather said campers, trampers and travellers should watch for flooding and slips, with higher elevations, particularly in eastern Otago, forecast to get the most rain.

Dunedin City Council said there had been no flooding or slips in the city.

On Facebook, Southern District Police warned drivers to take care while on the roads in the region.

“We're getting reports of surface flooding in some areas - particularly on SH 83, between Georgetown and Duntroon,” the post read.

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