December 31, 2012
Holidaymakers advised to watch river and lake levels
Severe weather warnings for the Southern Alps have prompted Environment Canterbury to warn holidaymakers to keep a close
watch on river and lake levels.
South Canterbury Duty Flood Controller Tony Henderson said this afternoon (MONDAY) that the Meteorological Service was
predicting record rainfalls for this time of year to fall in the Southern Alps over a 40-hour period from 9pm today
(MONDAY).
“We’ve been told between 150-200 mm of rainfall could fall in the catchments of both the Waitaki and Rangitata rivers
between now and about midday on Wednesday,” Mr Henderson said.
“It is vitally important that holidaymakers who are camping or simply visiting high country lakes and these two rivers
keep a very close watch on water levels.”
Mr Henderson said there was no flood alert in place at this time but people should listen to local radio stations, and
if they have internet access, check out the home page on Environment Canterbury’s website: www.ecan.govt.nz for flood
warning updates.
As the rain was predicted to fall mostly in the mountains it was especially important that people in the plains area
(where the weather could continue to be fine) also stay alert as the rivers could still pose a threat to safety as flood
waters flowed downstream, Mr Henderson said.
Environment Canterbury staff are now monitoring river and lake levels and would be doing so until the threat of flooding
had passed, Mr Henderson said.
ENDS