Subj : Intense rain as weather system sweeps West Coast, SH6 closed
To   : All
From : News Person
Date : Wed Apr 10 2024 11:52 am

A major weather system is bringing days of heavy rain and strong winds to the
West Coast.


Emergency management teams are ramping up, meeting earlier today to discuss
and update plans.


Speaking on the latest forecast, 1News meteorologist Dan Corbett said there
were two main parts to the weather system, which would continue to sweep
across the West Coast for the next 60 hours.


He added relief from the intense rain would start begin to arrive from Friday
morning.


"There's a lot of rain to come between now and then."


1News reporter Thomas Mead said the extreme weather might cause landslides
and surface flooding, and emergency management has said the Waiho River near
Franz Josef may also become problematic.


"It can lead to all sorts of difficulties trying to predict how it might
behave. It might rise quickly, it might fall quickly, it can even change
course, bringing it closer to houses and property in the township."


SH6 is closed between Haast and Fox Glacier due to a slip this evening, Waka
Kotahi said on X. The section of road will remain closed overnight and will
be reassessed in the morning.


"Contractors are on-site and are working to remove the slip as soon as
possible. Please avoid the area or delay your journey as no detour is
available."


SH6 HAAST TO FOX GLACIER - SLIP - 7:15PM
Due to a slip, the road is CLOSED between Haast and Fox Glacier. Contractors
are on-site and are working to remove the slip as soon as possible. Please
avoid the area or delay your journey as no detour is available. ^EH
pic.twitter.com/VfsWGo4icC

- Waka Kotahi NZTA Canterbury & West Coast (@WakaKotahiCWC) April 9, 2024
Earlier today, 1News reported arrangements were "well underway" for West
Coast Emergency Management to activate an Emergency Operation Centre as
required from tomorrow morning.


A MetService warning remained at orange this evening.


Orange heavy rain warnings are in place for Westland District south of
Hokitika from now until 9pm Thursday; the headwaters of Canterbury lakes and
rivers south of Arthur's Pass from now to 5pm Thursday; the headwaters of the
Otago lakes and rivers from now until 8am tomorrow; and Fiordland about and
north of George Sound from now until 3am tomorrow.


A heavy rain watch is in place for Tasman west of Motueka and the Bryant and
Richmond ranges, including the Rai Valley, from 6am on Thursday until 6am on
Friday; Buller District south of Seddonville from 9am Thursday until 3am
Friday; Grey District and Westland District about and north of Hokitika from
now until midnight Thursday; Fiordland south of George Sound from now until
midnight; and Southland and Clutha from 6am Thursday until 3am Friday.


A strong wind watch is in place for the Canterbury High Country from now
until 2pm tomorrow.


A strong wind watch for Fiordland has been lifted.

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