New Zealand (Commonwealth Union) _ Due to floods, homes in Queenstown, a major tourist destination in New Zealand, had to be evacuated, and several schools were shuttered on Friday.
Due to the effects of the region’s recent severe rain, Queenstown Lakes District Council Mayor Glyn Lewers announced a state of emergency earlier on Friday. The opening seven days of the week declared state of emergency. As a result of yesterday’s extreme weather, a state of emergency was issued throughout Southland.
“Several flooding and debris events have been identified, and we’re continuing to contact those who have been affected, including evacuating over 100 people,” Lewers said. The adventure capital of Queenstown and other southern towns are also in the midst of a significant clean-up effort after severe weather caused landslides and significant flooding that put homes in danger.
The damp and wild south is now experiencing snowfall, and drivers are being asked to use great caution and only travel when absolutely essential. The lower South Island had a difficult night, according to Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, who urged residents to heed the advice of their local emergency management teams.
He said he might go south, but it “depends on the need” and that the government is ready to offer whatever necessary assistance if needed. However, considering the amount of rain that has already fallen, even a modest bit of precipitation might still do harm, according to Emergency Management Minister Kieran McAnulty.
The Gore district, he claimed, was “completely cut off” in some places, and FENZ is ready to step in if necessary. According to McAnulty, the government as a whole is ready to help Queenstown if necessary. “We haven’t received a request as of yet”, he stated.
According to McAnulty, there is a chance that the town’s existing water problem will become worse as a result of the rain. He said, “This is simply something on top of that that is just going to make it incredibly difficult for those who live there and those who are visiting.”
Travel should be avoided, according to Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, as snow moves up through Central Otago and into Canterbury. This afternoon, above 400 meters, dumps are likely along SH 73 at Porters Pass; however, they might not reach as far north as the Lewis Pass/Hanmer region. Due to excessive snow, SH80 onto Mount Cook has just been closed.
According to Nicole Felts, the journey manager, “If you have an essential journey, you will need to build in extra time and please be informed of what might be ahead of you.” The local council provided an update at 10 am, stating that the first wave of mop-up operations had begun even though the rain has since stopped.
A geotechnical engineer is currently assessing the most affected locations above the lovely township with the assistance of a drone operator to “get a clearer understanding of the extent of the damage.”
The town is approachable and open, and tourists were outside this morning. According to Niwa, 87mm of rain fell in Queenstown over the course of the city’s wettest day in 24 years from 9am yesterday to 9am today.
The council reports that up to 20 residences had been evacuated and that more than 100 people had spent the night at the evacuation center. Damage was done when debris flooded into key areas. After lunch, snow was forecast to replace the rain that had been raining all morning.
Lewers said that the damage that prompted the declaration of an emergency was caused by forestry slash. Councilman Matt Wong of Queenstown complained of the “mess” on Brecon St. in Queenstown, where video showed slash debris flooding through and obstructing roads.
