Winter weather has forced the closure of multiple highways across the South Island and caused power outages in several rural communities.
State Highway 8 between Fairlie and Twizel is closed due to snow and ice, while State Highway 73 is shut between Otira and Springfield, affecting access over both Arthur’s Pass and Porters Pass.
State Highway 7 is also closed from Hanmer Springs to Springs Junction, and State Highway 79 is shut between Fairlie and Gudex Road. Authorities are urging motorists to avoid affected routes and delay travel if possible.
Meanwhile, Alpine Energy has confirmed an unplanned power outage in the early hours of Saturday morning, caused by severe weather. The outage began around 3am and is currently affecting the following areas: Albury, Fairlie, Cave, Middle Valley, and Opuha.
A spokesperson for Alpine Energy said road closures and heavy snow were making access difficult in some locations. “Our crews are patrolling where it’s safe to do so. We are committed to restoring your power as quickly and as safely as possible.”
The company said the restoration time was currently unknown and would be updated when more information became available. They reminded residents to treat all wires as live, as power could be restored at any time.
Authorities said the road conditions were dangerous and drivers should not attempt to travel on these routes until further notice.
Lake Tekapo / Jo Mackenzie
Meanwhile, residents in Lake Tekapo woke this morning to a thick blanket of snow covering roads, homes, and surrounding properties.
