At 2.20pm today, Southland Civil Defence Emergency Management Group chair Neville Cook declared a state of emergency for the Southland region, including Gore.

The move follows yesterday’s declaration for the Fiordland Community Board Area.

Extensive flooding is causing significant problems across the region, including road closures and landslips.

Emergency Management Southland controller Angus McKay said the declaration helps provide a coordinated response to the emergency, which is being managed from the Invercargill emergency centre.

With the number of roads affected by flooding continuing to grow, councils are advising people not to travel unless absolutely necessary.

The following roads are currently affected:

GORE DISTRICT

• State Highway 90 at McNab

• State Highway 1 from Gore to Clinton

• Waikaka Road

• Otama Road

• Knapdale Road

• Ontario Street

• River Road 

• MacGibbon Road

• McDonald Road 

• Whiterig Road

• Charlton Road, 

• Woolwich Street, 

• Knapdale Road,

• Talbot Street,

• Koa Street

• Ardwick Street between Devon and Onslow streets

There will be flooding in other areas. The Council is advising people not to travel unless absolutely necessary. 

SOUTHLAND DISTRICT

Northern Southland roads have been impacted by heavy rain and Southland District Council is advising people not to travel unnecessarily. Rivers are continuing to rise and they are expecting conditions to worsen.

Contractors are out responding to calls from residents but advise conditions are challenging and they are not able to access all of the affected areas.

Flooded roads are closed off where contractors are able to gain access but many areas are not reachable.

The following roads have been closed:

• Ellis Road between Acton and Lowther Rds

• Felton Road

• McLean Road (Garston)

• Lora Gorge Road

• Henderson Road

• Riversdale - Waikaia Road

• Pyramid-Waiparu Road

• Otautau Tuatapere Road (detour via Clifden Highway)

• Wyndham Station Road (Mokoreta)

• Mimihau School Road from Wyndham Road to the cemetery

STATE HIGHWAYS - SOUTHLAND

• UPDATE: SH 6 Frankton to Lumsden - ROAD CLOSED - Flooding - Due to flooding, SH6 is CLOSED from Frankton to Lumsden. Avoid the area or delay your journey if possible. An update will be provided by Wednesday 4 pm.

• SH 6 Dipton, near the intersection with Bell Rd - Flooding - Due to surface flooding, there is a speed restriction of 30 km/h in place. Please drive with care.

• UPDATE: SH 94 The Key, between Hillside - Manapouri Rd and Blackmount - Redcliff Rd - ROAD CLOSED - Flooding - Due to flooding, SH94 from Mossburn to The Key is CLOSED. Avoid the area or delay your journey if possible. An update will be provided by Wednesday 4 pm.

- DETOUR ROUTE: For westbound traffic go left onto Blackmount - Redcliffe Rd, right onto Weir Rd and then right onto Hillside - Manapouri Rd then left back onto SH94. Reverse for eastbound.

• SH 94 Milford to Te Anau, Park Boundary to Chasm - ROAD CLOSED - Flooding - SH94 is CLOSED from Park Boundary due to flooding and extensive damage. This road is expected to remain closed all week. Unlikely to be open to The Divide until Thursday at the earliest. This will be updated daily as work progresses. 

• SH94 Croydon, near the intersection with Kingdon Rd - Flooding - Due to surface flooding the road is under a 30km/h temporary speed restriction. Take extra care travelling through this area.

• UPDATE: SH 97 Mossburn to SH 6 intersection - ROAD CLOSED - Flooding - Due to surface flooding, SH97 is CLOSED. Please delay your journey or avoid the area. An update will be provided by Wednesday 4 pm.

STATE HIGHWAYS - OTAGO

• SH 1 Gore to Clinton - ROAD CLOSED - Flooding - Due to surface flooding, SH1 from Gore to Clinton is CLOSED. Please delay your journey or avoid the area.

• SH 1 Milton to Balclutha, at the intersection with Station Rd - Crash - RESOLVED: The earlier crash has now been cleared and all restrictions lifted. 

• SH 1 Maheno, between Crook St and Woolshed Rd - Crash - Due to a prior crash there is a 50 km/h temporary speed restriction is currently in place, caution is advised along this route. 

• SH 1 Milton to Clinton - Due to surface flooding, avoid the area or delay your journey.

• SH 6 Haast to Makarora (Haast Pass) - Surface flooding is affecting the road. Extra care is needed. 

• SH 90 McNab to Tapanui, from SH1 intersection to Station Rd - ROAD CLOSED - Flooding - Due to flooding, this section of State Highway 90 is CLOSED between SH1 and Station Rd. No detour available. Avoid the area or delay your journey if possible.

• SH 93 Clinton, near the intersection with Three Stones Rd - Flooding - Due to flooding, there will be a 30 km/h speed restriction is in place. Caution is advised along this route.