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

© Scoop Media