Flooding 6th March 2015 - Westport.

[JennyLeez]

NZHerald:

Torrential rain has caused extensive flooding across many parts of Buller.

Westport's four schools have closed for the day because of surface flooding.

Westport firefighters have been out since dawn pumping floodwater threatening a number of properties. Blocked drains and the incoming tide - which forces back stormwater draining into the Buller River - have exacerbated problems.

High tide is due about midday.

Buller Civil Defence was advising people to stay at home or indoors if possible, secure their properties and help neighbours if they need assistance.

Public information manager Lana Thomas said Civil Defence was monitoring the situation.

The Westport Trotting Club will decide late this morning whether to proceed with its autumn meeting, set to start at 2.15pm.

The weather forecast is for rain easing this afternoon.

Ms Wright said there was extensive surface flooding in the Buller and Greymouth areas. Motorists were asked to avoid travel in the area or take extreme care on the roads.

3news:
West Coast residents are being told to stay at home as heavy rain causes widespread flooding.

Westport is the worst hit, with the local schools forced to close and a large slip in the Buller Gorge.

Westport resident, Robyn, says it's the worst flooding she's seen in a long time.

"It started raining last night and it hasn't stopped since, it's been pelting down. All the streets are flooding and for the first time… in a long time, the schools have closed."

The Fire Service say they have had a number of flood-related callouts.

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[JennyLeez]

From Martin:

News arrived over seas aready wishing you all safety

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/67034336/westport-meeting-abandoned-due-to-floods?

[JennyLeez]

Wild weather closes roads - Nelson
stuff.co.nz

Nelson's Rocks Rd is closed to light vehicles because of wild weather.

The waterfront road is on State Highway 6 and the section between Richardson Rd and Bisley Ave is closed to light vehicles due to the high tide coinciding with severe weather.

Nelson has been lashed with heavy rains and strong wind today.

A NZTA spokesman the wind-generated tidal waves were a risk to motorists.

It was hoped the road could be reopened at 2pm.

Heavy vehicles are still able to travel the route and are being let through one at a time.

Electronic signs are warning motorists of the closure, and light vehicles could use the alternate route along Waimea Rd.

A section  of Atawhai Drive by Founders Heritage Park was also closed because the chain of the windmill at the entrance broke and it was spinning out of control, but this has now been controlled.

A small number of people were evacuated from the park.

There were also reports of trees down at Tapawera, Appleby and in Nelson at the top of St Vincent St.

[Martin4Jay]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/67034336/westport-meeting-abandoned-due-to-floods?[/url]



Thanks Jen

[Martin4Jay]

More news

Bracing for more wild weather | Radio New Zealand News

[JennyLeez]

West Coast residents brace for more flooding.

Another burst of heavy rain hitting the West Coast may cause issues for KiwiRail staff trying to fix damaged rail lines following Friday's flooding.

West Coasters were told to prepare for the possibility of more flooding on Saturday after an intense period of rain on Friday morning flooded streets and homes, closed schools and roads, and caused slips on two state highways.

KiwiRail spokesman Ron Murray said slips in the lower Buller Gorge had caused some damage to the rail line used by coal trains, while heavy rain had damaged infrastructure on the line north of Westport.

The wild weather washed away track ballast (crushed stone) from under parts of the rail line, while debris was affecting some bridges.

KiwiRail staff were working throughout the weekend to clear debris and replace missing ballast before the rail line could reopen between Stillwater, near Greymouth, and Ngakawau, north of Westport.

"We're almost a bit of a prisoner of the weather," Murray said.

"It's very hard to do this work if it's pelting down." 

More:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/67079492/west-coast-residents-brace-for-more-flooding