Rivers and Road Closures in Tasman District

Monday 17 June 2013

Heavy Rain Update 5 0830hrs

The first duty of the day is an impact assessment of the areas affected by the rain throughout all of Sunday with Tasman District Council staff and contractors out in the field since daylight.

Riwaka valley suffered the worst of the flooding yesterday, although the hills behinds Takaka collected the most rain. Council Hydrologist Matt Mclarin said the majority of the rain fell in a strip along the coastal hills from Takaka to Motueka.

The greatest totals for the past two days were in the Anatoki Valley, being 390mm at the Tasman District Council’s Paradise recorder and 375mm at the Happy Sams recorder just above the salmon farm. Another large total was seen at the Canaan rain gauge, where 342mm fell over the 48 hours.

Of the larger rivers, the Riwaka fared the worst. Heavy rain fell across the catchment, and the flats from the sea to the valley were ponded with surface flooding, while both branches of the Riwaka River carried flows to the levels of a 5 year flood. Both these rivers were slow to drop, and at daybreak were still carrying high flows.

Roads

A number of roads remain closed due to flooding or rain-induced slips. Contractors are currently working to clear those affected. People should be aware this could take some time on the worst affected. People should be aware that while the rain may be easing there is still a very real danger of slips and all care should be taken.

Roads that remain closed

• Motueka Valley Hwy – Closed from College St to Blacks Bridge. A number of slips and trees down

• Motueka River West Bank – Closed from Start to Herring Stream, also tree blocking road at Pearse Valley Bridge (unconfirmed) – A number of slips and trees down, some large trees near power lines,

• Peach Island – either Bridge partial gone or the island side approach

• Marahau Hill – Closed from SH –Large slips and drop outs on this road

• Riwaka- Kaiteriteri – closed at SH – large slip a few km in; very high blocking road, plus smaller ones blocking ¾ road at Turners Bluff

• Kaiteriteri - Sandy Bay – closed - slips and trees fully blocking road at Breaker Bay

• Brooklyn Valley – closed - number of slips and trees down over full length

• Riwaka Valley – a lot of mud over road from large slip on Takaka Hill, 4wd access only

• Swamp Road in Riwaka

• Abel Tasman Drive in Golden Bay at Wainui

• Waikoropupu (Pupu) Valley Road

• McCallum Road

• Cobb Valley Road

• One Spec Road

• Pitfure Road

Other Roading Information

• The Takaka Hill Road remains open

• The State highway on the Spooners Range to the south of the District has a significant amount of debris on it and drivers are requested to drive very carefully if they have to travel.

All roads, beyond the ones listed. remain open, although a number are down to a single lane in places. Drivers are urged to proceed with caution.

Other Information

• There have been minor sewage overflows in Golden Bay in Collingwood, Pohara and Clifton. People are advised to not take any shellfish or swim until the area has been cleared.

• A full review of the event’s impact is currently being undertaken in daylight by Council staff and contractors.

ENDS

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