Heavy rain in South Island prompts flood warning

Press, 28 December 1989, Page 3

Heavy rain in South Island prompts flood warning

Heavy rain and gales in parts of the South Island prompted flood warnings yesterday, but there were no reports of damage.

More than 150 mm of rain fell at Arthur’s Pass by 5 p.m. and river levels east of the Main Divide were expected to start rising this morning to reach moderate flood levels. The Meteorological Service has forecast 400 mm of rain in the high country to 9 p.m. today. Gale-force winds are forecast for inland Canterbury to midday today. There were no reports of wind damage yesterday. Winds reached about 35 knots at Akaroa Harbour and 20 knots in Christchurch. Heavy rain had caused slips at Otira Gorge and Paddys Bend, about 20km east of Arthur’s Pass, said Constable Niall Shepherd, of

Arthur’s Pass. By 5 p.m. rain was falling at the rate of 25mm an hour.

Preliminary riverbed flood warnings were issued by the North Canterbury Catchment Board. A police spokesman said it was likely the Rakaia huts would have to be evacuated.

Gales are forecast for Marlborough. to this evening. Heavy rain forecast for Westland is expected to ease in South Westland by this morning and north Westland by this afternoon or evening.

West Coast Regional Council staff were keeping their fingers crossed, after the Meteorological Office raised its estimate of likely rainfall in the area.

However, the resources scientist with the council, Mr Rex Harrison, said late yesterday afternoon that it

was “quiet in the Grey Valley, with rivers running normally.” There had been little appreciable rain in the mountains behind the valley; much of it had been confined to the coastal plateau. Water was receding in South Westland, but Hokitika was experiencing heavy rain. A spokeswoman for the Meteorological Office at Hokitika Airport said that the heavy rain experienced in South Westland overnight was easing. Hokitika had 30mm of rain in the six hours to midday yesterday, and there had been heavier showers in the afternoon.

The Meteorological Officu said that Haast had recorded 215 mm of rain in the 24 hours to 9 a.m. yesterday, while Franz Josef recorded 84mm and Greymouth' 9.3 mm.