Consider carefully about journey amid extreme climate

New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is urging street customers to assume forward and punctiliously take into account the necessity to journey tomorrow as extreme climate is anticipated to strike the South Island.

MetService has uncommon ‘red’ robust wind warnings in place from tomorrow morning for Christchurch, the Canterbury Plains and the Canterbury excessive nation, with gale power northwesterlies anticipated to gust as much as 150km/h. The purple wind warning signifies that there’s a potential risk to life from flying objects, falling bushes and powerlines, and harmful driving situations.

Lesser orange robust wind warnings are in place for Otago, Fiordland, Clutha, Southland and Stewart Island, and a powerful wind watch is in impact tomorrow for Westland and the Buller and Grey Districts.

The warnings come as State Highway 1 between Blenheim and Kaikōura reopened this morning after excessive winds contributed to a collection of auto crashes, fires, and fallen bushes 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 supervisor for the central and decrease 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 robust 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 because the West Coast have been hit arduous just lately by a number of bouts of heavy rain, resulting in slips and floor flooding which 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 within the week, the situations tomorrow may imply state freeway closures or restrictions the place mandatory to make sure public security.  

State Highway 7 between Springs Junction and the Hanmer Springs turnoff stays closed in the present day after flooding and erosion of the freeway from the waters of Boyle River. Roading groups are working to position rock to guard the remaining street the place the erosion has taken place, from heavy rain anticipated tomorrow.

A gravel street widening can also be deliberate with a view to offering at the very least a single lane open within the coming days on this affected stretch of SH7 close to Engineers Camp, topic to progress on the web site.