A small rural community in North Canterbury has been cut off from the rest of the country because their only access road has been destroyed by torrential rain.

At least 20 people, mainly farmers, live in Lees Valley, inland from Oxford.

Alicia Dalzell, whose parents own a farm in the Valley, told Chris Lynch the main road has been washed out because of a large slip, while several bridge approaches have been washed away.

“The only other way into this community is through the Okuku river which is impassable and we are unsure of the state of the remaining road.”

“There are farmers being helicopter in and people being helicoptered out. They are carrying emergency beacons as there is no cell coverage but will never ask for help. This community has come together at this time and will support each other.”

Dalzell said the farmers she’s spoken to have no idea of the actual damage caused by the storm because they can’t get to most areas of their land due to washed out culverts, river crossings and swollen creeks.

“It would probably be a 12 month process to fix the road and farm infrastructure. So this doesn’t end when the rain does. They will be one of the last communities to receive services but they understand this reality as they are a small community.”