Canterbury is grappling with severe weather conditions as heavy rain continues to batter the region, leading to significant flooding, road closures, and a state of emergency in the Selwyn District.

 

Selwyn District Under State of Emergency

Metservice advise rain will gradually ease from this afternoon. Also issued wind watch for Banks Peninsula with gusts up to 90 to 100kph until 3pm today.Heavy rain continues to fall, with a warning in place until 6pm this evening. Please DO NOT DRIVE on the roads unless necessary.
If you live in the Leeston/Doyleston area, we suggest that you make your way home early via SH1, as several roads in the area are now closed.SH1 at Selwyn River remains open at this stage. NZTA are monitoring the situation. There is significant surface flooding including on several roads, with several now closed. Coes Ford and other fords across the district have also been closed. Although precautionary, we are asking that residents in Selwyn Huts self-evacuate from the area due to concerns of flooding from the Selwyn River.Sandbags have been distributed in West Melton, Doyleston and Leeston, while Community Sandbag Stations are in place in Sheffield and Glentunnel, Ladbrooks and Leeston. Sand and bags are available, though you will need to bring your own spade.

Lower lying areas including Tai Tapu, Selwyn Huts, Lincoln, Doyleston, Leeston and Southbridge should keep a close eye on conditions.
Conserve water notices remain in place for the Acheron, Arthur’s Pass, Dalethorpe, and Hororata Water Supplies. We are encouraging Selwyn residents to conserve water until the supply can be restored.

We also ask that you try and minimise water usage in Prebbleton and Lincoln as our wastewater network is becoming overwhelmed, due to the sheer volume of water. To report any issues, call our Customer Services team on 0800 SELWYN (735 996). If your house is flooding or it’s an emergency, please call 111.

Christchurch and Surrounding Areas Affected

In Christchurch, heavy rainfall has led to the closure of several roads, including parts of Fitzgerald Avenue, New Brighton Road, and Avonside Drive. High tides have exacerbated the situation, with warnings issued for potential flooding in low-lying areas such as Sumner and Redcliffs. 

The Christchurch City Council has cautioned residents about the strain on the stormwater network, which may result in slow or no service for toilets, showers, and sinks in some areas. 

Waimakariri and Ashburton Districts Monitoring Conditions

The Waimakariri District Council has activated its Emergency Operations Centre to monitor river levels and has issued an Orange Heavy Rain Warning, with expectations of 80 to 100 mm of additional rain. 

In Ashburton District, Civil Defence teams are assessing the network after a wet night, with widespread surface flooding reported. While there are no current concerns for bridges over State Highway 1, the NZ Transport Agency is closely monitoring the situation. 

Travel Disruptions and Safety Advisories

The NZ Transport Agency is urging people to avoid travel, particularly south of Christchurch and around the Waikirikiri/Selwyn River bridge on State Highway 1, where river levels continue to rise. The Akaroa highway (SH75) is closed between Birdlings Flat and Little River due to flooding alongside Lake Forsyth. 

Air travel has also been affected, with several flights in and out of Christchurch Airport canceled due to the severe weather conditions. Travelers are advised to check with their airlines for the latest updates.

Weather Outlook

MetService has issued an Orange Heavy Rain Warning for Canterbury, with forecasts predicting an additional 30 to 60 mm of rain up to 6 pm tonight. Snow is expected to lower to 700 meters inland, and residents are advised to remain vigilant and prepared for further disruptions.