A region-wide state of emergency has been declared for Southland following heavy rain and flooding and the failure of a water treatment plant has left a remote town with eight hours' drinking water.
Emergency Management Southland said at 7.30pm on Thursday the plant at Tuatapere had been inundated by floodwaters and has stopped working.
"Residents are advised to conserve water urgently. They can do this by not taking showers, washing dishes or flushing the toilet. The treatment plant cannot be repaired until the water recedes.
"Southland District Council is sending three water tankers to Tuatapere to provide drinking water until the plant can be repaired."
In a statement earlier, announcing the state of emergency, Southland Civil Defence Emergency Management said, "MetService has extended the heavy rain warning until 8pm this evening. Around the wider Southland region, the immediate concern was Otautau community where the river level is expected to rise to near bridge height.
"Main Street is closed, and bulk filling on both sides of the bridge is underway to support the stop bank infrastructure. While the rain is easing, surface flooding across roads throughout Southland may be contaminated."
People were urged avoid contact with the flood water as wastewater and stormwater systems across Southland towns struggled to cope with the volume of water. Staying at home and off the roads was also advised.
Community emergency hubs have been opened at the Croydon Lodge in Gore and the Mataura Community Centre for people who need assistance.
River peaks were expected to occur overnight and into tomorrow morning. It would take time for the surface water to recede, Civil Defence said.
Fire and Emergency has confirmed four households in Queenstown have been told to evacuate because of a landslip, and a house has been evacuated because of flooding.
See RNZ's blog for what happened on Thursday:
Waka Kotahi earlier warned it would be a rough start to the school holidays on the South Island's roads, with high winds, torrential rain and snow on the horizon.
It is the last day of term tomorrow and pupils have a two-week break.
But four highways are closed across the South Island due to wind and rain, including in Southland, Otago, South Canterbury and the Milford Sound.
The transport agency says spring snow is also forecast to be heavy in some places and will make its way up the South Island from tomorrow.
It's urging motorists to check weather forecasts and Waka Kotahi's highway updates.
A state of emergency has been declared for the Gore District with heavy rainfall causing significant surface flooding.
MetService has rain, wind and snow warnings in place for the majority of the South Island as an active front over the southern regions moves north on Thursday and Friday.
Torrential rain is causing widespread flooding in Southland, which is under a orange heavy rain warning until late this evening. MetService has forecast up to 25mm of rain hourly until 5pm.
MetService has rain, wind and snow warnings in place for the majority of the South Island as an active front over the southern regions moves north on Thursday and Friday.
Southland Regional Council said flood warnings had been activated for the Aparima River at Dunrobin, Hamilton Burn at Waterloo Road and Waiau River at Sunnyside.
Flooding has closed five local roads and a flood warning is in place for State Highway 94.
State Highway 94 into Milford Sound / Piopiotahi was also closed due to a high avalanche risk, and a major scrub fire near Pukaki Downs had forced the closure of State Highway 80 and 8
State Highway 6 north of Makarora in Otago will remain closed overnight after a creek flooded the highway.
Gore District Council is appealing to the community for help filling sandbags as torrential rain bears down on the district.
MetService has issued heavy rain warnings for the area until this evening, with up to 25 millimetres of rain forecast hourly until five o'clock.
Flooding has closed five local roads and a flood warning is in place for State Highway 94. The council said it was being overwhelmed by calls for sandbags and its teams could not keep up with requests.
It was asking anyone who was willing and able to help fill bags to head to its yard on Miro Street. People in need of sandbags are also able to pick them up from this site.
Southland Regional Council said flood warnings had been activated for the Aparima River at Dunrobin, Hamilton Burn at Waterloo Road and Waiau River at Sunnyside.
Flood watches have been also issued for four other waterways.
Gore District Council is appealing to the community for help filling sandbags as torrential rain bears down on the district. Photo: Supplied / Gore District Council
Speaking on the campaign trail in Napier, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said he was aware of the flooding in Southland and that NEMA would be providing further updates.
"I'd just encourage people in that region to follow the guidance, keep an eye on the weather report and follow the guidance of the local national emergency responders," he said.
Gore District Council said flooding had closed five local roads and a warning was in place for State Highway 94, just past the Croyden Lodge.
The Oreti River at Lumsden, Southland, on 21 September. Photo: Environment Southland / Facebook
Invercargill City Council said falling trees had shut walking tracks in the city's Queens Park.
The council says it's being overwhelmed by calls for sandbags and teams are working as fast as possible to deliver them to residents.
— MetService (@MetService) September 21, 2023
Parts of Southland have seen more than 70 mm of rain today with more expected - the Heavy Rain Warning goes 5pm this afternoon
That rain band continues into Otago this afternoon and evening - the Heavy Watch goes to 11:59pm tonight pic.twitter.com/9pc3cVb7UZ
West Coast Emergency Management has just finished a meeting with all relevant agencies to discuss their response if the weather gets bad.
MetService has heavy rain, wind and snow warnings in place for the majority of the South Island.
Canterbury lakes and rivers south of Arthur's Pass should expect up to 350-millimetres of rain in the next day or so.
West Coast Emergency Management Group manager Claire Brown wanted residents to ensure they were prepared.
"This is a really good reminder for people to keep prepared and to have a look at your plans, have a look at your resources, your grab bags," she said.
"We're going into a period where the forecast might not be so settled so it's just a really good reminder for people to be prepared and to think about what they need to do if they need to leave home."
Muddy Creek overflowing has caused a closure on State Highway 6 in Otago. Photo: SUPPLIED / Waka Kotahi
In a statement, Waka Kotahi said State Highway 6 north of Makarora in Otago would remain closed overnight after a creek flooded the highway.
"Muddy Creek, near the Blue Pools, overflowed onto the highway bringing earth and plants with it earlier this morning," Waka Kotahi said.
"The road was closed around 10am."
Elsewhere, Otago and Southland journey manager Nicole Felts said Southland residents in particular needed to be aware of surface flooding and slow down when approaching bends.
"Motorists should reduce their speed and be prepared to stop in case of wind-blown debris, downed trees or power lines."
Aoraki / Mt Cook was not accessible from Lake Pukaki/State Highway 8 because of the major scrub fire near Pukaki Downs.
It had closed State Highway 80 and 8.
Waka Kotahi said strong winds were also "battering" State Highway 73 between Kumara Junction and Otira on the West Coast.
Felts said:" People driving high-sided vehicles like campervans, anyone towing a caravan, boat or trailer and motorcyclists need to be aware that gusts of wind can destabilise them fast".
Meanwhile, State Highway 94 into Milford Sound / Piopiotahi was also closed because of a high avalanche risk associated with the torrential rain.
Flooding in Gore on 21 September 2023. Photo: Gore District Council / Facebook
