Weather live: Bridges close, rivers rise as heavy rain moves from Kaikōura to Wairarapa

State Highway 63 has reopened between Howard Valley Road and State Highway 6 Kawatiri Junction.

This means traffic heading south to Canterbury no longer needs to travel on State Highway 6 to Nelson to use the inland route detour. Instead, they can use State Highway 63 and the Wairau Valley to State Highway 6 Kawatiri Junction. This will reduce travel times, but is still a longer route.

With cold weather forecast over the coming days, users of the inland detour route are warned to be ready for icy conditions on State Highway 6, State Highway 65, and State Highway 7.

While State Highway 1 will reopen north of Kaikōura from 5pm tonight, it remains closed from south of the town.

It means the inland detour route will have increased traffic volumes until State Highway 1 is restored.

Marlborough Emergency Management is now entering the recovery phase, following the response to the heavy rain experienced across the region over the last three days.

Recovery support is being provided to two rural communities who are isolated due to damaged roading on the Awatere Valley Road and on Tyntesfield Road in the Waihopai Valley where an approach to a bridge has been severely damaged by floodwater.

Incident controller Matt Kerr said discussions were underway with both communities to understand their needs.

“Both of these communities are resourceful but we are working with Marlborough Roads to ensure their access is restored as soon as possible.”

Mayor Nadine Taylor said support was also being provided to Kaikōura, which felt the brunt of the red rain warning, experiencing two months’ worth of rain in just 48 hours.

“We are feeling for our close neighbours in Kaikōura who have felt the full force of this weather event. Many people were evacuated and some face the daunting prospect of returning to a damaged home. We have offered our support and are pleased we can send some of Council’s building control staff to help out with rapid building assessments there,” she said.

“My thoughts are also with farmers and landowners in Marlborough who are faced with yet another cleanup. Unfortunately these severe weather events are becoming much more common these days.”

Council’s rivers engineers were happy with the way the region’s flood protection system had held up; they expect river levels to continue to fall. Blenheim locals are urged to avoid the Taylor River Reserve and all floodwater until water levels recede.

Support was also being offered to people staying at the Blenheim Bridges Holiday Park, who were relocated after flooding yesterday evening.

“The emergency services did a great job helping nine people relocate last night. Floodwater had entered the lower part of the campground from the Ōpaoa River. I understand the people were all relocated safely and accommodated elsewhere within the campground facilities.”