Winter storm: What you need to know
Thursday, 13 July 2017
The huge storm moving up the country is continuing to cause havoc on Thursday evening, in particular through the central North Island.
Heavy snow has caused power outages in many Ruapehu towns that has caused wastewater and water pumps to fail. Residents have been told to conserve water and there are fears wastewater could spill into waterways in Raetihi.
Power has been cut to the townships of Ohakune and Raetihi.
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Water supplies have been affected at Owhango, National Park, Ohakune, Raetihi and Whakapapa.
The NZ Army, based in Waiouru, has offered the use of its unimogs to help carry emergency generators to the towns, if power cannot be restored quickly. Earlier the army rescued stranded motorists in Waiouru.
The weather has resulted in ferries and flights being cancelled, scores of roads have been closed, towns have been flooded, trees and trampolines have been sent flying and power has been knocked out to thousands.
Air New Zealand had cancelled all regional flights out of Wellington that use turbo propeller planes, though jet engine flights are still operating.
Flooding has hit the Wairarapa and Manawatu, with one woman in Masterton saying it's the worst she's ever seen it.
Motorists have been warned to keep off the roads in the central North Island, with snow closing the Desert Road, alternative routes SH47 and SH4, and SH5, the Napier-Taupo road.
State Highway 3 south of New Plymouth was also closed in both directions after a truck rolled, but has since reopened.
People wanting to travel through the area should consider delaying their trip until the end of the week, the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) said.
Snow was falling still on some major South Island roads.
**READ MORE:
* More heavy snow, gales, downpours ahead
* Photos: Wintry storm strikes NZ
* Huge waves, fierce winds roar through Cook Strait
* Power cuts, wild wind and rain hammer Wellington**
IN SHORT
* Driving through the centre of the North Island is difficult - the Desert Road is closed and alternative routes through National Park via SH47 and SH4 are also closed. State Highway 5, the Napier-Taupo Road, has closed. SH2 is closed by a large slip at the Waioeka Gorge, which means a detour around the East Cape to get to Gisborne. NZTA urges motorists to delay their trips
* Residents of many Ruapehu towns are without power and being told to conserve water. There are fears wastewater could spill into waterways in Raetihi. Power has been cut to the townships of Ohakune and Raetihi while water supplies have been affected at Owhango, National Park, Ohakune, Raetihi and Whakapapa.
* Wellington's Ngauranga Gorge - SH1 - is now open in both directions after a sign dislodged by high winds was repaired
* SH3 through southern Taranaki was closed in both directions because of a truck roll, but has since reopened
* Winds gusting in excess of 100kmh lifted a large section of roof off the grandstand at Fraser Park in the Lower Hutt suburb of Avalon
* A slip is reportedly blocking the Pahiatua Track
* Flooding has struck the Wairarapa - the town of Martinborough has surface flooding and the Ponatahi Bridge over the Huangarua River is underwater. The Waihenga Bridge over the Ruamahanga River is also closed. Many Wairarapa roads have surface flooding, and some flooded Masterton roads have been shut
* A topple tree has closed State Highway 23 between Hamilton and Raglan but a detour is available
* SH73 is closed between Arthur's Pass and Springfield, but was now open between the village and Otira
* The Lewis Pass and State Highway 1 south of Kaikoura have now reopened
* Snow warnings are in place for many other major South Island roads - check road closures here or by calling 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)
* Air New Zealand has announced all regional services have been cancelled due to high winds which have grounded planes. Jets are still operating
* Cook Strait ferries and Wellington harbour ferries have been cancelled
* Wellington bus services may run late, trains are going slow
* Power out to more than 1300 homes in Wellington and 800 homes in Porirua, and 1000 homes in Taranaki
ROAD WARNINGS
If you're wanting to travel through the central North Island, the NZ Transport Agency is advising to consider delaying your trip until later in the week.
The agency said the main routes through the centre of the North Island and State Highway 5 the Napier-Taupo Road were closed because of ice or snow.
Currently the best connection to the upper half of the North Island was via SH2 and Gisborne - however SH2 was closed by a large slip at the Waioeka Gorge, which meant a detour around the East Cape. You can check road closures here: http://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic or by calling 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49).
Meanwhile in the South Island, Lewis Pass and the highway south of Kaikoura have reopened.
State Highway 1 south of Kaikoura was closed late on Wednesday, but reopened about 8.30am on Thursday, restoring access to the coastal town after it was cut off on Wednesday night.
Shortly before 11am, a New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) advisory said the inland road, route 70, remained closed.
MetService issued the following road information for drivers:
* Arthurs Pass (SH73) - closed between Arthur's Pass and Springfield
* Porters Pass (SH73) – Snow showers are forecast to affect the road from time to time until Thursday afternoon. Until 3pm Thursday, a further 15 to 25cm of snow could accumulate about the higher parts of the road.
* Lindis Pass (SH8) - Snow showers could affect the road until Thursday morning, but showers should mostly be light. 1-2cm could still settle on the road.
* Milford Rd (SH94) - A few snow showers are possible south of Lake Gunn until Thursday morning, and 1 to 2cm of snow may settle on this part of the road at times.
* Dunedin to Waitati Highway (SH1) – Snow showers could affect the summit of the road until early Thursday morning. Until 3am Thursday, 1 to 2cm could accumulate.