State of emergency lifted in Christchurch

The Canterbury Civil Defence Emergency Management Group is lifting the state of emergency for the region except for the Ashburton, Selwyn and Waimakariri districts, where it will be extended for seven days. 

Missed kerbside collection

Due to the torrential rain and heavy flooding over the weekend there were streets that were in accessible due to road closure for kerbside collection on Monday and Tuesday.

We will return to collect the bins tomorrow, Wednesday 2 June, for those properties on the following streets that did not have their bins emptied: Clarendon Tce, Sheldon St, Richardson Tce,  Tavender St, Hunter Tce, Riverlaw Terrace, and Eastern Terrace.

Please have your bins out by 6am.

All Christchurch roads now open

All Christchurch roads affected by flooding have now re-opened.

Flooding update

With flooding easing across the city, roads that were closed are gradually being re-opened.

You can get the latest information on which roads have reopened through our online road closures map.

Due to the amount of rain that has fallen, we do expect to see potholes appearing in some of our roads over the coming days. If you come across a pothole, the best way to report it is through using our Snap Send Solve app.

We are aware there are some wastewater overflows. If you come into contact with any floodwater, you should treat it as potentially contaminated. Change out of any wet clothes and shoes and put them aside to be washed later. Wash skin that has come into contact with flood waters, and wash your hands as soon as you reasonably can - or use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser.

The wastewater overflows are likely to stop as the flood waters recede.

We are still having some issues with the wastewater system in St Heliers Crescent in Aranui and in Warden Street, Cargill Place, North Parade, Hope Street and Hercules Street in Shirley. We have sucker trucks in that area but we are asking residents living on those streets to use water for essential purposes only for the next 24 hours.

We are also asking residents in Duvauchelle to restrict their water use for the next 48 hours. The heavy rain has affected the streams that we rely on for the water supply in Duvauchelle. We will be tanking water in until we can restore the water supply but residents are asked to conserve water in the meantime.

The stormwater storage basins in the Upper Heathcote catchment worked as intended over the past couple of days. We will be gradually releasing the water stored in them. The discharges from these basins will be timed to coincide with the outgoing tide in order to avoid putting any further pressure on the Heathcote.

State highway update

CLOSED

• SH1 Burnham to Dunsandel
• SH1 Ashburton, The Ashburton (Hakatere) River Bridge 
• SH1 Temuka remains closed with the closure now from Donald St to Lynnford Rd in Hinds.
• SH73 Springfield to Castle Hill - next update due by midday Thursday, 3 June
• SH77 Darfield to Mount Hutt

REOPENED

• SH77 Mount Hutt to Winchmore 
• SH79 Orari to Rangitata

OPEN 

• SH1 Ashburton near Saunders Rd - Flooding
• SH1/SH8 Timaru to Fairlie - Flooding
• SH75 Barrys Bay to Birdlings Flat
• SH77 Mount Hutt to Winchmore - Flooding
• SH79 Geraldine to Rangitata - Flooding
• SH8 Fairlie to Tekapo (Burkes Pass) - Flooding
• SH82 Station Peak - Flooding

Little River

The flooding has eased in Little River. The Little River Service Hub and Library will open as normal today.

Conditions improving

Weather conditions are starting to improve, with the rain easing. We expect to be able to start opening some of the closed roads in Christchurch later today. 

Last Monday update

This is our last update for today, Monday 31 May, unless the situation changes significantly overnight. We will have another update in the morning once we have further information and have assessed the roads.

Kerbside collection

Due to localised flooding, we haven’t been able to complete all of our kerbside collections today.

Residents living in the following streets are affected:

• Clarendon Tce
• Richardson Tce
• Sheldon St from #18 to Clarendon Tce
• Tavender St from #10 to Clarendon Tce

When these roads reopen, please put your bins out again and our contractor will return to empty them. 

If your bins are due to be emptied on Tuesday, please put them out as usual, before 6am. If you are living on a road that is currently closed, still put your bins out for collection, if possible, as our contractors will empty them when the roads are re-opened.

New road closure

Sparks Road is now one way at its intersection with Henderson Road. You can still turn west towards Halswell. 

For a complete run-down of local road closures check out our online map.

Tonight's high tide

High tide is between 9.15pm and 9.30pm this evening and is expected to be lower than previous tides. We would expect to see surface flooding to continue in areas where this is already happening. We don’t expect to see flooding in new areas overnight.

If you have to be on the roads today, please heed the road closure signs. If you have to drive through flood waters, drive slowly to avoid pushing water onto nearby properties. Don’t walk or bike through floodwaters as they could be contaminated with wastewater.

Upper Heathcote basins

Stormwater basins are being managed in the Upper Heathcote area. We are currently discharging floodwater from Curlett’s Basin. Earlier we were discharging from Wigram Basin but we have now stopped this.

We are alternating discharging between the two basins on the outgoing tide.

Wastewater overflows

We are aware that a few properties are experiencing issues with their wastewater pipes overflowing.  This is due to the increased demand on the system from the stormwater.

Rather than call a drainlayer or plumber we suggest waiting for the floodwaters to recede as it is likely the problem will resolve itself.

Pumps in Southshore

Thank you to the community members who have been in touch regarding the pumps stopping and starting. We are keeping a close eye on the pumps and have contractors out there regularly to make sure they are working as they should.

Unfortunately we’ve had a couple of instances where the pumps have been deliberately stopped and the discharge pipes decoupled and dragged back into the streets. The Police will be increasing their presence in the area to help us ensure the pumps aren’t tampered with overnight.

Banks Peninsula update

Residents in the Akaroa harbour area are still being asked to conserve water.  This is particularly critical around Duvauchelle. Residents should try and keep their water use to a minimum.  

We are asking residents in Duvauchelle only to use  water required for essential purposes.

The flooding in Akaroa has greatly receded after our contractors unblocked the major stormwater pipe.

However, there is still flooding and slips in other parts of Banks Peninsula so anyone travelling in that area should exercise extreme care.

Our contractors are planning to open Lake Forsyth due to the high rainfall over the last couple of days.

The opening of the lake will not result in an immediate reduction in flood levels in Little River but it will ensure the situation does not get any worse.

SVA preparing to mobilise

The Student Volunteer Army (SVA) preparing to step in to help with the inevitable clean-up that will be required after the flooding in Canterbury.

“After the earthquakes, farmers in the regions helped out Christchurch in a major way. After these floods, we're going to be focused on returning the favour,'' says SVA founder and chief executive Sam Johnson.

"We encourage anyone who has the time and capacity to support the clean up efforts to join us - everyone is welcome to lend a helping hand.”

For volunteers wanting to assist, the best place to receive updates is via the SVA App, which is downloadable via all of the usual channels (register your ability to assist by joining the ‘Flooding Support Activity’). The SVA will be sharing updates on social media as well. 

Those needing help or support should let the SVA know; either by calling 0800 005 902 or emailing hello@sva.org.nz.

Lane closures on Fitzgerald Avenue

Fitzgerald Avenue, between Tuam and Lichfield Streets, has been reduced to one lane because of a sinkhole.

Road closures

Two more roads have been closed due to flooding.  They are:

• Lower Styx Road, from Spencerville to Harbour Road.
• Harbour Road, from Lower Styx Road to the end of the street.

Latest weather forecast

New forecasts suggests the rain band over the Canterbury region is likely to continue to bring steady rain until about 7pm tonight, with showers then likely overnight.

Rainfall rates are currently 6 to 10mm/hour over much of Banks Peninsula and western parts of the Port Hills (including the Heathcote River catchment), and 3 to 6mm/hour in other areas.

From midday to midnight, we are expecting another 50 to 80mm of rain for the southern parts of Banks Peninsula and western parts of the Port Hills, with much of this before 8pm. Other parts of the city can expect 25 to 40mm of rain.

Part of Marine Parade closed

Marine Parade, between Fleming Street and Leaver Terrace, is closed due to flooding. 

Road closure map

A map showing all the local road closures around Christchurch and Banks is available online.

View the map.

Wastewater issues in Aranui/Shirley

We are currently having some issues with the waste water system in St Heliers Crescent in Aranui, and on the following streets in Shirley:

·         Warden Street

·         Cargill Place

·         North Parade

·         Hope Street

·         Hercules Street

The Council currently has sucker trucks out in Shirley to help with the situation, but for the next 24 hours residents in the area are asked to avoid doing washing, and to flush toilets only when absolutely necessary.

State Highway 75 closure

State Highway 75 is now closed from Barry's Bay to Birdlings Flat.

Akaroa residents asked to conserve water

Residents in Akaroa and surrounding areas are being asked to conserve water during the current state of emergency.

The water supply in the area relies heavily on the surrounding streams, which are being affected by the heavy rains. That means drinking water is now only being sourced from bores.

Until the streams can be used again, residents are asked to use water sparingly.

There are no contamination issues with the drinking water and boiling is not currently required.

Wastewater overflows

The heavy rain has resulted in some wastewater overflows so people are advised to treat any flood waters or river water they come into contact with as potentially contaminated.

If you do come into contact with flood waters, change out of any wet clothes and shoes and put them aside to be washed later. Wash skin that has come into contact with flood waters, and wash your hands as soon as you reasonably can - or use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser.

Roads to remain closed

Roads in Christchurch City that are closed due to flooding will remain closed at least until 9am tomorrow morning.

The closures affect the following roads:

• Avondale Rd - New Brighton Rd / Bassett St to Breezes Rd
• Avonside Dr - Retreat Rd to Woodham Rd 
• Avonside Dr - Wainoni Rd to Torlesse St
• Aynsley Tce - Centaurus Rd to Opawa Rd
• Clarendon Tce - Full length
• Cumnor Tce - Full length
• Eastern Tce - Tennyson St to Malcom Ave
• Eglinton St - Breezes Rd to Woolley St
• Ford Rd - Opawa Rd to Newberry Rd
• Green Lane - Full length
• Hunter Tce - Malcolm Ave to end
• Maces Rd / Ruru Rd - at the intersection
• McCormacks Bay Rd - Full length
• New Brighton Rd - Bower Ave to Pages Rd / Hawke St
• Newport St - Emlyn Pl to Wainoni Rd
• Oakridge Tce - Wales St to Nicholls St
• Owles Tce - Hardy St to Collingwood St
• Richardson Tce - Full length
• River Rd -  North Parade to Banks Ave
• Woolley St - Avondale Rd to Waratah St

More road closures

• Green Lane is closed.
• Hunter Terrace is closed, from Malcolm Avenue.

High tide due shortly

High tide is due to 8.30am this morning, slightly later for some parts of the Heathcote River.

All options for managing the incoming tide are being used.

“Cashmere Valley and Curletts Basin’s still have significant storage volume available. The Cashmere Basin has reached only 40 per cent of its maximum water depth and Curletts Basin’s has reached 75 per cent,’’ says Christchurch City Council Acting Head of Three Waters and Waste Tim Drennan.

High tide in Sumner is predicted to be 10.57 mRL this morning. This is significantly lower than the predictions and recordings over the last few days that were around 10.81 m RL.

“There have been no reports of any properties in Christchurch being flooded above floor level but there is widespread surface flooding in low-lying riverside areas,’’ Mr Drennan says.

If you have to be on the roads today, please heed the road closure signs. If you have to drive through flood waters, drive slowly to avoid pushing water onto nearby properties.

Don’t walk or bike through floodwaters as they could be contaminated with wastewater.

He Puna Taimoana closed today

Due to the State of Emergency and the king tides,  He Puna Taimoana is closed today.

All guests booked in for sessions at the hot pools will be contacted by staff at He Puna Taimoana and will receive a credit to use the pools at an alternative time that suits them.

School, early learning centre closures

Fifty-two schools and kura and 24 early learning services in Canterbury have confirmed to the Ministry of Education that they will be closed today.

Any closures of schools and early learning services are a matter for each school board or service manager to decide on a case-by-case basis.

Students, parents and whānau are encouraged to check with their schools, kura or early learning service about whether they are open through regular channels such as their websites or social media.

Road closures in Christchurch city

Monday morning state highway update

CLOSED

• SH1 Burnham to Dunsandel
• SH1 Temuka between Arowhenua Rd and Huirapa St 
• SH1 Hinds River Bridge between Delamaine St and Lynnford Rd 
• SH73 Darfield to Springfield 
• SH73 Springfield to Castle Hill - next update due by midday 
• SH77 Darfield to Mount Hutt 
• SH77 Rakaia Gorge to Methven 
• SH77 Glentunnel to Windwhistle 
• SH79 Fairlie to Rangitata
• SH8 Fairlie to Tekapo (Burkes Pass) 

OPEN 

• SH1 Ashburton near Saunders Rd - flooding
• SH1/8 Timaru to Fairlie - flooding

State of local emergency declared in Canterbury

The Canterbury Civil Defence Emergency Management Group has declared a state of local emergency in Canterbury, extending emergency powers across the entire region, as heavy rain continues to cause flooding.

Chair of the Joint Committee, Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel, made the declaration at 4:45pm, extending the state of emergency across Canterbury, following local declarations of emergency in the Timaru, Ashburton and Selwyn districts.

Mayor Dalziel said that the group felt that it was important that they declare an emergency for the entire Canterbury region, which will give local authorities the ability to take any action required as the situation unfolds. 

“It also means all of the region’s resources are available, and we don’t have to worry about territorial boundaries,” she said. 

Full list of road closures in Christchurch

To recap, the following the roads are closed due to flooding and are likely to remain closed overnight.

• Eastern Terrace, from Malcolm Street to Tennyson Avenue.
• Eglington Street, from Breezes Road to Woolley Street.
• Woolley Street, from Avondale Road to Waratah Street.
• Avondale Road, from New Brighton Rd/Bassett Street to Breezes Road.
• Newport Road from Emlyn Street to Wainoni Road.
• Owles Terrace, from Hardy Street to Collingwood Road.
• Aynsley Terrace, from Centaurus Road to Opawa Road.
• Clarendon Terrace, from Sheldon Street to Opawa Road.
• Richardson Terrace, from Opawa Road to Mackenzie Avenue.
• McCormacks Bay Road.
• Cumnor Terrace, from Chapmans Road to Garlands Road.
• Ford Road, from Opawa Road to Newbery Road.
• Avonside Road, from Retreat Road to Woodham Road
• River Road, from Banks Avenue to Medway Street.

If you need to be on the roads, please drive slowly, particularly through any surface flooding, so that you don’t push water onto people’s properties.

Also, try and avoid walking or biking through surface flooding as there is a chance it could be contaminated with wastewater.

High tide due at 8pm

The next high tide is due at 8pm tonight and is likely to bring some more flooding.

There will be another high tide again at 8.30am tomorrow.

The roads that have been closed today are likely to remain closed until the high tides have passed tomorrow so if you normally travel these routes to get to work or school, please start thinking about making alternate plans.

If anyone living close to a river or waterway is feeling at all unsafe, they should self-evacuate.

If you need to report a problem in your area please call our Contact Centre on 941-8999, or it if is an emergency, call 111.

ECan monitoring river levels

Environment Canterbury is monitoring rainfall and river flows across the region, with details available on its website.

“We’re working closely with Civil Defence and the MetService to monitor the situation and will be posting rainfall and riverflow updates on our website as the situation develops. We suggest that people stay at home and wait the weather out, avoid rivers and only travel if essential,'' says ECan rivers manager Leigh Griffiths.
 

More road closures

Flooding has forced the closure of :

• Eastern Terrace, from Malcolm Street to Tennyson Avenue.
• Eglington Street, from Breezes Road to Woolley Street.
• Woolley Street, from Avondale Road to Waratah Street.
• Avondale Road, from New Brighton Rd/Bassett Street to Breezes Road.
• Newport Road from Emlyn Street to Wainoni Road.
• Owles Terrace, from Hardy Street to Collingwood Road.

State highway update

Persistent, hard rainfall over Canterbury has closed a number of state highways today. Others are being watched and may be closed if surface flooding continues and as night approaches with reduced visibility.

“Please avoid travelling through South and Mid Canterbury and postpone your trips wherever possible on all these routes,” says Tresca Forrester, Journey Manager for Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency.

•  SH73 linking the West Coast and Canterbury between Springfield/ Porter’s Pass and Castle Hill is closed due to a bridge approach washout and surface flooding.  This route will stay closed overnight and Monday morning at least. Next update midday Monday.  

• SH79 Fairlie to Geraldine, and back to Rangitata, is closed due to flooding across the highway and at key culverts/bridges. Closure points are at Claytons Road (Fairlie end) and Earl Road (Geraldine end). This closure will be in place overnight. 
• SH8 through Burkes Pass is likely to close later this afternoon ie Fairlie to Tekapo with culverts constantly filling with debris.
• The inland route Darfield to Methven and Ashburton: Flooding near the Hawkins Bridge. The Selwyn River/ Waikirikiri has breached its banks at Glentunnel and is flowing across SH77 to the south. SH77 has been closed at this point and a detour on local roads is in place. This closure may be extended back to Windwhistle soon.
• SH1 Dunsandel: Waka Kotahi is closely monitoring the Selwyn River/ Waikirikiri where it crosses SH1 at Dunsandel so please keep an eye on the highways page for changes. 

• SH1 Ashburton at Saunders Road, Netherby, near the Racecourse, has surface flooding, please expect delays through this area. 
• SH1 south of Temuka: Due to flooding the highway is closed at Arowhenua Road/ the Opihi River.  

People are advised to check this traffic map for changes later this afternoon and overnight.

Health advice

The Canterbury District Health Board has provided the following advice for those in flood-affected areas.

• Avoid contact with flood waters if you can and assume they will be contaminated by sewage. There is also a danger of injury from floating objects and hazards hidden below the surface.
• If there are power outages in your area, be wary of power lines that might be down and be even more hazardous in wet conditions.
• If you do come into contact with flood waters, change out of any wet clothes and shoes and put them aside to be washed later. Wash skin that has come into contact with flood waters, and wash your hands as soon as you reasonably can - or use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
• If you lose power at any stage, avoid opening your fridge and freezers unnecessarily. If frozen food has been defrosted but has been kept chilled, it should be used as soon as possible - as if it had been bought fresh. Do not refreeze high risk items such as meat, fish and poultry. If you think these high risk items may have been at room temperature for two or more hours, do not eat them – if in doubt, throw it out.

• Continue to check on neighbours and vulnerable people near where you live as long as the disruption caused by the weather lasts. Check they have supplies, including their medications, and share with them the advice on water and food safety

• If you need to see a GP and have trouble getting there, phone them for advice. Even if they are closed, your call will be put through to a nurse who can advise you on what to do. 

• If you require emergency care, do as you normally would – the 111 service and ambulances are operating as normal, subject to changing road conditions. Emergency Department at Christchurch Hospital, ambulances and Urgent Care Clinics (24hr Surgery, Moorhouse Medical Centre and Riccarton Clinic ) are all open.

• If you have an appointment either today or tomorrow (or while the weather disruption lasts), please assume it will go ahead unless you are contacted individually to say otherwise. If you cannot make your appointment, please let us know as soon as you can by calling the number on your appointment letter.

New road closure

Avonside Road, from Retreat Road to Woodham Road, has been closed due to severe flooding.

One lane on Fitzgerald Avenue, between Kilmore Street and Cambridge Terrace, has been closed due to flooding.

Welfare checks

Volunteers from Civil Defence are going around areas affected by the flooding to check on people's welfare.  They will be going door-to-door in the worst affected areas, seeing if people need any assistance.

If anyone requires urgent assistance, they can call the Council Contact Centre on 941-8999.

High tide to bring fresh flooding

Flooding is likely to ease over the coming hours as the tide recedes but the next high tide will bring fresh flooding in parts of Christchurch.

“Most of the flooding that we’ve had so far has been related to the king tides,’’ says Christchurch City Council Acting Head of Three Waters and Waste Tim Drennan.

“High tide for this morning has passed and we expect to see the flooding situation ease. However, with the next high tide due at 8pm we expect to see flooding occurring again. If people have vehicles parked in areas affected by flooding this morning, we advise they move them this afternoon before the next high tide,’’ Mr Drennan says.

“The flooding we have seen in other areas of the city has been caused by leaves blocking grates. We have contractors working to clear as many of these blockages as possible. But, if you are in position to clear any blockages near your property, we would really appreciate your assistance because we won’t be able to get everywhere.’’

Up to 8am this morning, Christchurch and the Port Hills have received between 40 and 60mm of rain. Parts of Banks Peninsula have received close to 100mm.

Rain is expected to continue falling throughout today and tomorrow.

“Most of the roads that we have closed this morning due to flooding are likely to remain closed until the high tides have passed tomorrow so if you normally travel these routes to get to work or school, please start thinking about alternative ways of travel.’’

High tide on Monday morning is due at 8.30am.

“If anyone living close to a river or waterway is feeling at all unsafe, please self-evacuate. If people want to report problems in their area, please call our Contact Centre on 941-8999,’’ Mr Drennan says.

“Our crews are working to ensure our stormwater network is working effectively as possible and are actively managing the outfalls at Sumner and Southshore to minimise any flooding.’’

Message from Orion

About 2000 residents lost power overnight in 12 different incidents. Additional crews have been deployed and Orion reports that at present 259 residents are without power. They are responding to an outage in Diamond Harbour.

State highway closures

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is advising that:

• State Highway 73 linking the West Coast and Canterbury between Springfield/Porter's Pass and Castle Hill is closed due to slips and surface flooding.
• State Highway 79 Fairlie to Geraldine is closed due to surface flooding.

Flooded roads

Severe flooding is affecting the following roads:

• New Brighton Road, from Bower Avenue to Hawke Street.
• Avonside Drive, from Wainoni Road to Torlesse Street.
• Hulverston Drive, from Avondale Road to Orrick Crescent.

These roads are still open at this stage but extreme care is needed if you are driving on them.

Road closure

River Road, from Banks Avenue to Medway Street, is now closed due to flooding.

Streets flooded

Severe flooding is affecting the following roads:

• Avonside Drive, between Linwood Avenue and Fitzgerald Avenue.
• River Road, between Banks Avenue and North Avon Road.
• Retreat Road, between Patten Street and Swanns Road.
• Fitzgerald Avenue, between Kilmore Street and Cambridge Terrace.

Road closures

Flooding has forced the closure of the following roads:

• Aynsley Terrace, from Centaurus Road to Opawa Road.
• Clarendon Terrace, from Sheldon Street to Opawa Road.
• Richardson Terrace, from Opawa Road to Mackenzie Avenue.
• McCormacks Bay Road.
• Cumnor Terrace,  from Chapmans Road to Garlands Road.
• Ford Road, from Opawa Road to Newbery Road.

If you need to be on the roads, please drive slowly, particularly through any surface flooding, so that you don’t push water onto people’s properties.

Also, try and avoid walking or biking through surface flooding as there is a chance it could be contaminated with wastewater.