Weather blog 26/08/26
Over 20 slips leave state highway closed through weekend
A slip on SH6 Makarora-Hāwea. NZTA
State Highway 6 between Makarora and Lake Hāwea in Otago will remain closed until at least Monday after heavy rain brought down slips and debris at more than 20 locations.
Two vehicles and their occupants were trapped inside the closure area earlier on Friday, but the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi said at 5.20pm crews had safely escorted them out of the closure.
The slips followed heavy rain from the winter storm that passed through the area, sending water and debris from hillsides onto the highway.
There is still movement in surrounding hillsides, meaning crews have to proceed cautiously as they try to clear the slips and inspect the road underneath.
Crews will move into affected areas to begin clearing debris when it is safe to do so, while NZTA is seeking geotechnical engineering advice about the stability of the hillsides and the risk of further slips.
A further assessment will be made on Monday to determine when some level of traffic access can safely be restored.
NZTA is warning motorists about the possibility of encountering slips on state highways across the central and lower South Island, with further slips possible, particularly if there is more rain.
Meanwhile, emergency work is under way on state highways in Queenstown following storm damage.
NZTA said the work was likely to worsen traffic problems already being experienced in the town, where Queenstown Lakes District Council is also responding to damage on local roads.
Two vehicles and their occupants were trapped inside the closure area earlier on Friday, but the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi said at 5.20pm crews had safely escorted them out of the closure.
The slips followed heavy rain from the winter storm that passed through the area, sending water and debris from hillsides onto the highway.
There is still movement in surrounding hillsides, meaning crews have to proceed cautiously as they try to clear the slips and inspect the road underneath.
Crews will move into affected areas to begin clearing debris when it is safe to do so, while NZTA is seeking geotechnical engineering advice about the stability of the hillsides and the risk of further slips.
A further assessment will be made on Monday to determine when some level of traffic access can safely be restored.
NZTA is warning motorists about the possibility of encountering slips on state highways across the central and lower South Island, with further slips possible, particularly if there is more rain.
Meanwhile, emergency work is under way on state highways in Queenstown following storm damage.
NZTA said the work was likely to worsen traffic problems already being experienced in the town, where Queenstown Lakes District Council is also responding to damage on local roads.