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Last modified: 19 Jul 2022 1:59pm

Emergency operations centre sign

Selwyn weather event update – 1.30pm | EOC standing down

The Selwyn Civil Defence emergency operations centre has been stood down from 1.30pm today – but staff will keep a watching brief on weather conditions over the next few days.

Civil Defence local controller Gerard Moore says the immediate threat of damage from wind and floods has abated, and any remaining issues are being addressed by contractors, council staff and volunteers.

“Overall Selwyn has not been too seriously affected by this event,” he says. “There have been some localised flooding incidents, storm and flood damage across the roading network, and some disruption to water supplies.

“It has been great to see the response from our communities, and the way people have supported each other.

“We’ve had a tremendous response from our volunteers who have been out checking on vulnerable people, door-knocking to provide reassurance and helping with sandbagging.

“We’re grateful to all our volunteers and the other agencies who have been part of this event – it’s been a great response, which shows the value of the training and the networks we’ve developed over recent years.”

Civil Defence staff will continue monitoring river levels over the coming days.

The Rakaia Lagoon level has receded and North Rakaia Huts is no longer considered under threat.

Restrictions remain on a number of roads across the district with contractors working to clear felled trees and undertake urgent repairs. All fords remain closed.

For local roading updates check https://www.ramm.com/roadclosures/roadclosuremap.html?region=selwyn

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is advising drivers in Otago and Canterbury to be aware of slips and possible washouts on a number of routes.

For the latest State Highway updates check www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic

Latest MetService updates at www.metservice.com/warnings/home#central-south

No further Selwyn updates are expected at this stage.

Flood and roads update 10am

The risk of flooding at Rakaia Huts has receded.

A natural mouth opened from the Rakaia Lagoon out to the sea around 9am, and the lagoon level is now dropping.

Fire and Emergency crews have left the site. Community response volunteers remain at the settlement to assist residents. Seven houses were sandbagged, but no evacuations were required.

Roads

Overnight we’ve had additional reports of trees down across the district. Crews are working this morning to clear these and make roads passable, but drivers should be aware of possible delays or restrictions.

A number of road signs have suffered damage or been blown over. Contractors are working on repairing and replacing these as quickly as possible.

Contractors are currently inspecting the high country roads after the rain last night.

All fords remain closed.

Water supplies

The severe weather has disrupted water supplies at Castle Hill, Arthur’s Pass and Hororata-Acheron. These supplies are currently running on reservoirs, and residents have been asked to conserve water until the supplies can be restored.

Huge thanks to the community response teams, volunteers, emergency services and other agencies that have been working through this event over the past two days. It’s been a fantastic effort to keep our communities safe and prepared. Kia kaha, Selwyn!

Weather event update – Tuesday 19 July 7.30am

It’s been a relatively quiet night in Selwyn overnight with few major weather-related incidents reported to Selwyn Civil Defence.

Some reports of fallen trees have been noted, including a tree down in Kirwee township. Rainfall overnight has been lower than anticipated in most areas.

Selwyn Civil Defence is monitoring the lagoon level at North Rakaia Huts this morning. following rising river levels on the Rakaia River overnight.

The lagoon has been rising steadily this morning, with up to five houses at risk of flooding if the lagoon level continues rising.

Local community response volunteers and Fire and Emergency are on site to assist residents, and to sandbag at-risk properties if required. One camper in the campground has been relocated to higher ground.

Civil Defence staff are also liaising with a group of households at Kirwee who have had been affected by minor flooding.

Roads

A number of restrictions remain in place this morning. Contractors are working across the district to clear trees and reopen roads. All fords remain closed.

Check local road closures at: https://www.ramm.com/roadclosures/roadclosuremap.html?region=selwyn

Check State Highway conditions from Waka Kotahi at www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic

Wind and rain warnings – Monday 18 July 5pm update

Here’s an update on the situation around Selwyn late this afternoon. Heavy rain and strong wind warnings remain in place for Canterbury through to Tuesday afternoon.

Selwyn Civil Defence will be operating through the night to monitor weather conditions and respond to any issues as they arise.

If you need urgent emergency assistance, call 111.

Roads

We’ve had reports of trees down on a number of roads including:

  • SH77
  • Old West Coast Road
  • Hoskyns Road
  • Telegraph Road
  • Courtenay Road
  • Struie Road
  • Rockwood Road

Contractors are working to clear these as soon as it is safe to do so. Restrictions or pass with care cautions may be in place for these locations.

All fords are closed, including Coes Ford. Lyndon Road is closed due to snow.

Please take extra care if you’re driving in a high-sided vehicle or towing. Try to avoid unnecessary travel, especially after dark.

Check local road closures at: https://www.ramm.com/roadclosures/roadclosuremap.html?region=selwyn

Check State Highway conditions from Waka Kotahi at www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic

Rubbish collection

Tomorrow’s bin collections will proceed as normal. Please put your bins out for collection at 6.30am (rather than the night before), and bring them in as soon as they’re emptied if you can, thanks.

Power outages

Power outages may continue through the evening due to wind. Check for updates from Orion at: www.oriongroup.co.nz/customers/power-outages/current

Water disruptions

A Conserve Water notice is in place on the Dalethorpe water supply, which has shut down due to the weather event.

Stay up to date with the latest alerts:

MetService www.metservice.com/warnings/home#central-south

Waka Kotahi NZTA www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic

FENZ www.facebook.com/FENZCanterburyDistrict

Canterbury Civil Defence www.facebook.com/CanterburyEM

Orion – power outages www.oriongroup.co.nz/customers/power-outages/current

Council Facebook page: www.facebook.com/SelwynDistrictCouncil/

Contact the Council on 0800 SELWYN (735 996) or contactus@selwyn.govt.nz

Update Monday 18 July 2022 – 12 midday

Selwyn Civil Defence has activated an emergency operations centre as a precaution and is advising residents to be alert for heavy rain, rising river levels and strong winds.

MetService advise an Orange heavy rain warning is in place until 1pm Tuesday, for the headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers, about and south of Arthur's Pass, with periods of heavy rain, with thunderstorms possible. Rain is expected to spill over from the main divide up to 50km east of the divide.

An Orange strong wind warning is in effect through to 9am Tuesday for Canterbury, with northwest gales forecast to be severe in exposed places, with gusts reaching 140 to 150 km/h about the High Country, and 120 km/h farther east.

Strong winds are continuing today in exposed areas throughout Selwyn.

  • Please take extra care if you’re driving in a high-sided vehicle or towing
  • Be sure to secure loose items around your home such as outdoor furniture, trampolines
  • Farmers should make sure irrigators and other equipment are secured
  • Avoid lighting any outdoor fires

Our contractors are working across the district today to ensure drainage channels are clear, and pumps are being deployed to at-risk areas on standby in case of flooding. Water races have been closed down.

Roads update

The ground is still wet and saturated from last week’s significant rain event, so there is an increased possibility of trees falling in the high winds. Be careful when driving as there may be a number of hazards.

As a result of the saturated ground, there’s an increased chance of potholes occurring – so please drive cautiously. We will have additional crews repairing these when weather permits.

If you see any significant potholes please contact the Council or use the Snap Send Solve app to report them.

Contractors are also clearing all bridges of river debris.

ALL Fords are closed. Coes Ford remains following last week’s water damage and we expect the river level to come back up over the next couple of days. We will monitor it and repair the damage and open it when it is safe to do so.

Repair and stabilising works are continuing on Kowhai Road following the earlier land slip.

Sandbags

Sandbags are available for those in flood-prone areas at Hororata, Whitecliffs, Sheffield and Springfield. Locations are:

  • Hororata - Community Hall, 61 Hororata Road
  • Whitecliffs - Empty Lot, 193 Whitecliffs Road
  • Sheffield 1 - Community Hall, 14 Railway Terace East
  • Sheffield 2 – Domain, 91 West Coast Road
  • Springfield - Rewi Alley Memorial Park, Tawera Lane

Take care – and keep up to date with these links:

Council Facebook page: www.facebook.com/SelwynDistrictCouncil/

MetService updates www.metservice.com/warnings/home#central-south Waka Kotahi updates www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic FENZ updates www.facebook.com/FENZCanterburyDistrict Canterbury Civil Defence updates www.facebook.com/CanterburyEM Orion – power outages www.oriongroup.co.nz/customers/power-outages/current

Contact the Council on 0800 SELWYN (735 996) or contactus@selwyn.govt.nz