Heavy rainfall along Canterbury alpine rivers last night has led to damaged roads, flooding and sandbagging as a precaution at properties adjacent to rivers.
Head of emergency management at the Selwyn District Council Al Lawn told 1News a team was at the Rakaia Huts in the Ashburton region after rain elevated the water levels of nearby rivers.
The Rakaia Lagoon was full and the water level still rising, although it was beginning to ease, he said.
Fire and Emergency NZ (FENZ) was also on site and sent two crews to help sandbag around the properties to mitigate the risks of flooding.
Lawn said sandbagging was being carried out around the most vulnerable homes and lifting furniture.
He told 1News there was some water lapping at doorsteps.
He said the event was known as a “dry weather flood”, and residents and emergency management teams “plan for the worst and hope for the best”.
Rangitata, Rakaia and Waimakariri, Hurunui and Waiau Uwha Rivers all rose overnight.
“High flows are passing through the lower reaches of these alpine river today,” the Environment Canterbury Regional Council flood warning reads.
River flow data showed that the cubic metres quintupled between midday August 23 and 2am on August 24, where, at its peak, the river flow was at 500 cubic metres per second. This compared to its rate of 100 cubic metres per second, where it has sat consistently since the beginning of the week.
Yesterday, a section of Hakatere Potts Rd was damaged during heavy rain, resulting in closure for 2WD vehicles from Lake Clearwater to Erewhon Station until Monday at the earliest, the Ashburton District Council said on Facebook. Access to Mount Sunday was also impacted.
