(12:15AM) State Highway 75 between Birdlings Flat and Little River has been closed due to flooding.
NZTA said the closure was in place between Bayleys Road and Kinloch Road, and there was no detour available.
Drivers were being urged to avoid the area or delay their journey if possible.
The highway closed at 10.55pm on Wednesday night.
Meanwhile, the Waimakariri District Council said it had activated an Emergency Operations Centre which will monitor levels overnight and advise residents if there is any need to evacuate.
The Selwyn District Council said Coes Ford was now closed. “Due to the rising river level caused by recent rain, this has made the ford unsafe to cross.”
Heavy rain has been falling across most of the region, particularly the plains and foothill areas.
This rain is expected to continue through the day (Thursday), before gradually easing away from the south tomorrow evening.
Precipitation is forecast to fall as snow above around 700 – 900 metres.
MetService issued heavy rainfall warnings from Timaru through to Kaikoura, and all rivers, streams, and surface flooding/ponding areas within this area will see some impacts.
The most significant flood flows are expected in the foothill rivers and streams of the Waimakariri, Hurunui, and Kaikoura districts.
Out-of-river flooding and significant surface flooding/ponding is likely in some places.
Environment Canterbury staff are monitoring rainfall forecasts, landed rainfall, and river flows.
