Last Update 12/07/22 - 10PM

MetService has issued an Orange Heavy Rain Warning and Heavy Snow Warning for parts of the Ashburton District valid from Tuesday morning into the early hours of Wednesday.

Key Things to Know:

• We have issued a precautionary boil water notice for Methven Township water supply, effective immediately. Full details here.
• Surface flooding is widespread, so please take care on the roads, particularly around creeks and fords. Flooding will be difficult to see once dark, so please avoid all non-essential travel overnight.
• Check below for a list of our road closures, some State Highways are also affected.
• If you spot anything that needs attention, please let the Council know through the Snap, Send, Solve app or by calling our team on (03) 307 7700.
• Further rain of 20-40mm is expected below 300m, with snow possible above that point.

Roading impacts

• Do not drive through flood waters.
• Waka Kotaki - NZTA have closed State Highway 77 between Rakaia Gorge and Darfield, and a washout has closed SH77 between Blackford Road and Mt Hutt Station Road. People should take extra care when using State Highway 77 in other areas due to surface flooding and debris. Check the the Journeys Map for updates on State Highway Conditions.
• Our three sunshine bridges across the Hinds River at Hackthorne Road, Winslow Road and Boundary Road are closed.
• The following sections of roads around Dry Creek are now closed due to flooding. This includes sections of: Barkers Road, Methven Chertsey Road, Lyndhurst Road, Urrall Road and Lauriston Barrhill Road. We reccomend avoiding this area and taking an alternative route via Line Road and Back Track.
• Ashburton Gorge Road is closed from the Hoods Road intersection to non-residents due to excessive snow in the high country.

View a live map of current road closures.

River levels

We don’t currently expect major issues with our river levels, however Civil Defence and Environment Canterbury will closely monitor the situation.

Keep up to date with the latest warnings on the MetService website.