NEWS RELEASE

3 August 2008

Heavy rain causes slips all over Wellington

At least 20 landslips - including a large slip in Devon Street, Aro Valley, which has forced the evacuation of a house - have been reported in Wellington City this morning following heavy rain overnight.

City Council engineers and contractors are working flat-out to clear roads across the city that are either completely or partially blocked by mud, rubble and trees.

The Council warns motorists to take care on roads around the city - because some slips may not have been reported - so no warning signs or cones may be in place.

Other slips are still moving and are therefore too unstable and potentially dangerous for contractors to clear today.

Devon Street, a popular shortcut for motorists between the Aro Valley and Kelburn, will be closed to through traffic until further notice. The large slip has completely blocked the roadway and has damaged the foundations - exposing several piles - of a two-storey villa about 20 metres above the road.

Police evacuated about six occupants from the house this morning. The house will remain empty while engineers check the stability of the slip face and the foundations.

In Farnham Street, Mornington, a big slip is reportedly covering most of the road and has damaged two cars. The slip is still moving.

Other large slips have been reported in Miramar, Kilbirnie, Mt Cook, Houghton Bay, Kelburn, Northland, Karori and Khandallah.

ENDS

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