Flooded roads are reopening and Marlborough residents have been able to return home today, but some may find flood damage has rendered their homes unliveable.
A section of flooded land in Marlborough. Photo: Facebook / Marlborough District Council
Deputy Mayor Nadine Taylor said 900 people in 500 properties across Marlborough were able to go home after they were evacuated on Saturday.
State Highway One reopened at midday, enabling residents from Tuamarina, Spring Creek and Lower Wairau to return home.
"We had four settlements that we had evacuated and we've been able to say that all of those are able to return home," Taylor said.
"Now, some of them won't know quite what they're returning home to, so they'll be going in to check their homes for the first time this afternoon.
"And in that case, we would expect that there will be some of them who will find water damage, flooding damage, and they may have to stay out of their homes for a second night."
Several state highways were closed as a result of flooding. Photo: Marlborugh District Council
Taylor said there had been some frustration due to a backlog of traffic on SH1 when it was reopened and she wanted to thank people for their patience.
UPDATE 2:15PM, SUN 18 JUL
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Canterbury & West Coast (@WakaKotahiCWC) July 18, 2021
SH7 Hanmer Turnoff to Springs Junction (Lewis Pass) & SH7 Springs Junction to Reefton are now OPEN. Two closures remain in place for Canterbury & West Coast, please drive to the conditions:
• SH6 Inangahua to Westport
• SH6 Murchsion to Inangahua ^EH pic.twitter.com/aI9a7ZnbA6
Waka Kotahi contractors have also been working since first light today to clear debris and assess damage.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency journey manager Tresca Forrester said as floodwaters have receded, crews have succeeded in re-opening SH1 between Picton and Blenheim.
SH7 is also now open from Reefton to Springs Junction (Rahu Saddle) and from the Hanmer Turnoff to Springs Junction (Lewis Pass).
Parts of SH6 are open to Renwick, but closed along several other portions.
UPDATE 4:40PM
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Top of the South (@WakaKotahiTotS) July 18, 2021
SH6 Rai Valley to Renwick is OPEN. SH6 Renwick to Tophouse, SH65 Shenandoah to SH6 & SH6 Murchison to Kawatiri remain CLOSED. Please continue to consider delaying your journey. ^EH pic.twitter.com/uReCJIjex7
Forrester said that roads will open as soon as possible.
"As a number of sites on this route are still under repair, for safety reasons access through some parts of the route will only be via escorted convoys, and people planning to travel to Nelson via SH65/6 should be prepared for delays of up 30 minutes through the Shenandoah Route," she said in a statement.
"The only South Island roads that are expected to remain closed overnight are SH6 through the Lower and Upper Buller Gorge, and SH63 from Renwick to Tophouse Road.
"Contractors are continuing to monitor these routes, and a further update will be provided at midday [Monday].
"We know how important these routes are for South Island businesses and communities, and they will be re-opened as soon as we are able to safely do so."
Forrester reminded drivers to stay safe.
"With the massive rainfall we've just experienced, many areas will also remain highly susceptible to slips, or to further flooding if the rain returns. Please continue to keep safe and take extra care out on the roads."
The latest information on state highway conditions is available at the NZTA website.
