Selwyn State Of Emergency: Flooding, Road Closures And Rising Rivers

Thursday, 1 May 2025, 8:10 pm
Article: Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter

A state of emergency has been declared in Selwyn as river levels rise and homes have been evacuated.

Mayor Sam Broughton declared the state of emergency at 5.39am following 24 hours of heavy rain in the region and the expert advice from the Environment Canterbury flood controller.

Broughton said the rivers continue to rise and there is significant surface flooding including on roads, with the heavy rain warning in place until 6pm today.

Residents of the Upper Selwyn Huts, where the Selwyn River flows into Lake Ellesmere, were asked to self-evacuate due to concerns of flooding from the river.

“This is a precautionary measure due to potential risk to the residents and their properties.

“There is an expectation that the community will be cut off, and the river may breach the road and access.”

The council distributed 250 sandbags to specific houses in the areas of West Melton, Doyleston, and Leeston, while community sandbag stations were set up at community centres in Sheffield and Glentunnel on Wednesday evening.

Coes Ford and other fords across the district have closed.

A number of roads were also closed across due to surface flooding.

NZTA is closely monitoring the Selwyn River State Highway 1 bridge.

To the south in the Ashburton District, several roads near Methven are closed after being flooded by Dry Creek.

The council reported that there are no current concerns for bridges over State Highway 1, but NZ Transport Agency is monitoring the situation.

Environment Canterbury flood advisory suggests the main impact of the heavy rainfall remains north of the Rakaia.

The Ashburton District Council road crews are out checking on the state of the network and asking people to take care with widespread surface flooding across the district.

NZTA reported it has had five crews out attending to potholes on the South Canterbury – Mid Canterbury network.

“Some potholes are 300 mm deep so people may see temporary speed limits and crews busily filling them as best they can do.”

The full extent of damage to the roading network across Canterbury won’t be known until the rain stops and surface water recedes.

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