August 8, 2012

Media Statement

Coastal Rain Causes Extensive Surface Flooding

Nearly 24 hours of constant heavy rain in South Canterbury has caused extensive surface flooding but the rivers are handling the latest downpour well.

Environment Canterbury’s Duty Flood Controller Phil Lees said this afternoon that between 40mm-50mm of rain had fallen in coastal and foothills areas since late last night.

“We have no concerns about any of our major rivers and the latest weather forecasts are predicting that the rain should ease along the coast early this evening and tail off later in the evening in more inland areas.”

Environment Canterbury staff have been monitoring the rainfall, along with river and stream flows constantly throughout the day and have been liaising with Civil Defence personnel and local councils.

“The rainfall is significantly less than last week’s but because it’s been largely confined to the coast our major rivers have not risen the way they did last week. However, there’s certainly been widespread surface flooding from downland streams and local run-off, partly due the fact that the ground is already so saturated.”

Mr Lees said many roads in South Canterbury had been closed by surface flooding but the region’s river flood protection works had withstood the rain well.

ENDS

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