Heavy rain continues to fall across parts of Canterbury, forcing the closure of a main state highway, prompting evacuations in Akaroa, and resulting in nearly 20 weather related callouts for emergency services.

State Highway 75, also known as Christchurch Akaroa Road, remains closed between Tai Tapu and Akaroa, with widespread flooding reported across Banks Peninsula. An orange heavy rain warning remains in place for the peninsula.

Residents in Akaroa were forced to leave their homes overnight, with some sheltering upstairs at the local pub, while a nearby lodge also took in evacuees. Video from the township shows significant surface flooding across roads and properties.

Fire and Emergency responded to nearly 20 weather related callouts across Banks Peninsula as conditions worsened.

Christchurch has also been impacted. Footage from Opawa shows flooded streets and water pooling in low lying areas, while vision from Woolston shows severe flooding affecting some residents.

A number of additional road closures are now in place. New Brighton Road is closed between Rawson Street and Pages Road. Several streets in Opawa and surrounding areas are also shut, including Clarendon Terrace, Eastern Terrace, Waimea Terrace, Ford Road, Richardson Terrace and Fifield Terrace.

 

On Banks Peninsula, Summit Road is closed between Gebbies Pass and Dyers Pass due to slips. Governors Bay Teddington Road near Allandale is closed because of fallen trees, while Bamfords Road, Charteris Bay Road and Gebbies Pass Road have also been shut due to flooding. State Highway 75 is closed to all vehicles between Kaituna and Little River.

The closure of SH75 has also forced the Little River and Akaroa service centres to close for the day.

Kerbside rubbish and recycling collection is expected to be disrupted across Christchurch and Banks Peninsula, including Diamond Harbour, Little River, areas around the Akaroa Highway closure and along the Heathcote River.

Despite the weather, the Diamond Harbour ferry is running to its usual schedule for now, although passengers are being advised to check for updates before travelling.

Authorities are urging residents to take care on the roads, particularly in flooded areas, as further rain is expected throughout the day.

For Governors Bay, Teddington Road is closed on the Teddington side of Allandale due to fallen trees.

Charteris Bay Road is closed from Andersons Road to Teddington because of flooding.

Gebbies Pass Road is also closed from State Highway 75 to Teddington.

State Highway 75 is closed to all vehicles from Kaituna to Little River. Motorists are being urged to take extreme care.

The forecast for Christchurch is for rain, with heavy falls in the morning, gradually easing to the odd shower in the evening, though conditions will remain cloudy. Strong southwesterly winds are expected, easing later in the day.

For Banks Peninsula, expect 70 to 100 mm of rain on top of what has already fallen.  Low chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.