Civil Defence Update 4.30pm - 31 July 2008

Rainfall is weakening across the region and all rivers except the Selwyn have either peaked or are receding.

Amberley Beach: All residents of Amberley Beach have been evacuated because of the risk of inundation. Latest report: flood protection is holding at maximum high tide and rain has eased. Commuters intending to return to Amberley Beach are asked to ph 0800 155 180 or visit www.hurunui.govt.nz for the most recent information. Two welfare centres have been set up for people who require them at Leithfield School and Amberley Domain. For further information:

Please note: The Waimakariri Bridge at SH1 remains open. No problem is anticipated for commuters returning home from Christchurch this evening.

Please note: Selwyn Bridge at SH1 remains open.

Selwyn River:

The Selwyn is building up. ECan engineers are keeping in touch with the Selwyn District Council who are monitoring the position. The Selwyn will continue to rise until this evening. Selwyn will not peak at Coes Ford till midnight.

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Canterbury River Update – 4.30 pm, July 31

Rainfall is abating in many areas with most rivers, bar the Selwyn at Coes Ford, Central Canterbury, having peaked. All river height or volume recordings were made mid thisafternoon. All ECan engineering field parties have been called in.
North Canty/ Kaikoura:
Kaikoura Rivers: Flood protection systems have worked well, rivers have peaked.
Waiau River: The Waiau is now dropping at Marble Point, 520 cubic metres per second (cumecs) mid afternoon.
Hurunui River: At Mandamus confluence 250 cumecs and dropping.

North Canty/ Waimakariri District:
Ashley River/Rakahuri – close to peak at gorge, slowly dropping, 262 cumecs.
Waimakariri – 678 cumecs mid afternoon, nothing exceptional.

Central Canterbury:
Selwyn River
ECan engineers are keeping in touch with the Selwyn District Council which is monitoring the position as this river continues to rise until late thisevening with inflows from Ridgens Rd and Whitecliffs.

Whitecliffs is now dropping from 94 cumecs and Ridgens Rd 3.29 metres.

Selwyn measured 106 cumecs at 3 pm Coes Ford (96 cumecs mid last week), however bear in mind this river was 674 cumecs in 2000 and 341 cumecs in 2002.
Halswell River: 5.6 metres at Ryans Bridge and dropping.

Mid Canterbury:
Ashburton Rivers: All dropping.
Hinds River: 18 cumecs and dropping.

Areas of concern:
Waimakariri District Council reports that the Cam River is now back within its banks following breakouts earlier today. The Cust River is also well within its banks, receding.
Hurunui District Council is more confident about the situation at Leithfield Beach, reported upon earlier update.

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http://www.ecan.govt.nz/home/ (Home page has links to civil defence updates and Flood Alerts bottom right hand side)
River levels: www.ecan.govt.nz/Our+Environment/Water/Rivers/RiverFlows/river-flow-table.htm
Rainfall:
www.ecan.govt.nz/Our+Environment/Water/Rainfall/rainfall-table.htm

ENDS

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