Canterbury residents are being urged to take care and closely monitor road conditions as heavy rain continues to fall across the region.
Environment Canterbury said its flood team is actively monitoring the situation, with the most significant impacts expected in the Waimakariri, Hurunui, and Kaikoura districts.
“Heavy rain has been falling across most of the region today (Wednesday), particularly the plains and foothill areas,” said a spokesperson.
“This rain is expected to continue overnight and through the day tomorrow (Thursday), before gradually easing away from the south tomorrow evening.
Precipitation is forecast to fall as snow above around 700–900 metres.”
MetService has issued heavy rain warnings from Timaru through to Kaikoura.
Environment Canterbury said rivers, streams and low-lying areas throughout this stretch are expected to be affected.
“The most significant flood flows are expected in the foothill rivers and streams. Out-of-river flooding and significant surface flooding or ponding is likely in some places.”
Meanwhile, a Christchurch City Council spokesperson said wet weather in Christchurch and Banks Peninsula had settled in, and high tides were also predicted.
“To prepare, our contractors have been out clearing gutters, sumps, stormwater grates and beach outfalls as well as making checks of the stormwater network ahead of the rain,” the spokesperson said.
“We’re also managing water levels in the Ōpāwaho Heathcote River. Residents along the upper and mid-reaches of the river can expect fluctuations of water levels at any time before, during and after the rainfall event, even during periods of dry weather. This is to reduce peak flood levels during the rainfall event by maximising the use of the storage volume in the basins.”
The council said the city’s stormwater network is designed to cope with heavy rain, and roads are also part of that system.
“In most parts of the city our roads have been designed as secondary flow paths for stormwater so in heavy rain it’s normal to see some flooding on our roads,” the spokesperson said.
“Staff and contractors are ready to respond to any issues.”
Environment Canterbury said the next flood update would be issued by 9am Thursday.
