Slips and flooding expected as heavy rain takes aim at West Coast

Sunday, 26 May 2019

Drone footage shows full extent of the damage to the Waiho Bridge, near Franz Josef on the West Coast, in March 2019.

More than half a metre of rain is forecast to fall in parts of the South Island's West Coast this week, causing slips and surface flooding.

MetService has issued several severe weather warnings for the region as a number of fronts take aim on the area over the next four or five days.

Driving conditions could become hazardous and streams and rivers were likely to rise rapidly, it has warned.

Heavy rain is expected to cause slips and flooding on the West Coast for the next four or five days. It shouldn't be as severe as a storm felt in March, pictured.

The heaviest rain is expected in Fiordland, Westland south of Harihari and in the headwaters of Otago Lakes and rivers.

**READ MORE:

The Waiho Bridge in Franz Josef was destroyed by flood waters in late March.

* Peak of West Coast downpour likely still to come

* Highway bridge washed out, students stranded in mountain lodge as severe weather batters the West Coast**

'This is a significant rain event … rainfall accumulations are likely to exceed 500mm in some places over a four or five-day period,' MetService said.

Westland, south of Harihari, can expect up to 350mm of rain about the ranges on top of what has already fallen, with the peak intensities of 15 to 25mm per hour during Monday and Tuesday, when thunderstorms are also possible.

The heavy rain will move towards the coast fom Monday to Tuesday afternoon. with up to 180mm expected.

Torrential rain caused chaos on the West Coast in late March when the Waiho Bridge, near Franz Josef township, collapsed. A state of emergency was called and slips closed roads. However, during the March event as much as 30mm to 40mm of rain fell in an hour in some places, compared to 15mm to 25mm expected to fall per hour this week.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the island, Christchurch is expected to experience temperatures in the high teens until Friday, but some rain is likely from Tuesday to Friday. A southerly change on Friday afternoon will lead to temperatures dropping to the early teens over Queen's Birthday Weekend.