MEDIA RELEASE
30 July 2008
Storm Causes Road Closure
Surface flooding and the potential for landslips has caused the Hurunui District Council to close the Inland Road from
State Highway 1 (north of Cheviot) through to Waiau.
Roading Engineer, John Kerse said that due to the risk of flooding and slips from the heavy rain that motorists should
not to travel unless absolutely necessary.
“This is torrential rain sitting right over us at the moment and there is the potential that resulting surface flooding
could put motorists at a very high risk.”
Heavy rain hit the district shortly after lunchtime and had already caused some rock falls across roads in northern
neighbour Kaikoura.
Hurunui District Council Emergency Management Officer, Brennan Wiremu said that the council is watching the situation
closely and are in active communication with the Environment Canterbury river engineers.
“Both ourselves and the Canterbury Emergency Coordination Centre are monitoring the situation and keeping contact with
emergency services, lifeline utilities and roading agencies.
ends