Rain has eased in Christchurch, but floodwaters and widespread road closures continue to cause disruption following record rainfall over the past 48 hours.
While conditions have improved, Christchurch, Selwyn, and Banks Peninsula remain under a local state of emergency. Authorities say the full extent of the damage is still being assessed.
Banks Peninsula remains cut off, with State Highway 75 closed. A helicopter flyover is scheduled this morning to check on isolated communities and assess damage.
Contractors are inspecting roads and infrastructure across the city to determine where access can be safely restored.
Key road closures in Christchurch remain in place, particularly in northern and central areas. These include:
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Avonside Drive (Retreat Road to Woodham Road, and Wainoni Road to Kerrs Road)
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New Brighton Road (Rawson Street to Pages Road)
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Fitzgerald Avenue (Kilmore Street to Cambridge Terrace)
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Empire Road (from Main North Road)
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River Road
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Cambridge Terrace (Barbados Street to Churchill Street)
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Avondale Road (New Brighton Road to Mervyn Drive
Kerbside collections affected
Organic bin collections are going ahead in Lyttelton today, though some streets may be inaccessible due to conditions. Missed collections will be attempted tomorrow. Christchurch collections are proceeding as scheduled.
Christchurch City Council is urging people to avoid driving through floodwaters and to respect all cordons and closures.
“Floodwaters can be deeper than they appear, may contain debris, and roads could be damaged beneath the surface,” the Council said.
Residents are also being warned of the ongoing risk of falling trees and slips due to waterlogged ground, even now that the rain has passed.
Authorities are asking people to look after each other and check in on neighbours as recovery efforts continue throughout the day.
