Southlanders advised to avoid non-essential travel
Posted on Monday, 15 August 2011 08:45 a.m.
Southland roads are in a treacherous state and people are being advised to stay home and avoid all non-essential travel this morning.
MetService is still forecasting snow showers across the region for at least the next 24 hours in Fiordland south of Te Anau and all of Southland. It has issued a severe weather warning, predicting 25-50cm of snow accumulating in areas above 200 metres and 10-20cm to sea level until midnight tonight.
Access in and out of the region is restricted, with SH1 closed between McNab and Waihola, SH6 closed between Kingston and Five Rivers, and SH93 – the back road between Mataura and Clinton – also closed.
Information is not yet available on the rest of the Southland roading network, but Neil Cruickshank, Manager of Emergency Management Southland, said that anyone who had to travel in hill country areas should carry chains and fit them where necessary.
“You have to assume that all country roads will be marginal, if not impassable,” Mr Cruickshank said.
“We strongly advise people to stay home at least until mid morning today. The roads are treacherous and footpaths are very slippery everywhere,” he said. “People will have to be patient. If you do have to travel, you need to think about how you get home again.”
Parents should listen to the radio for information about schools.
The Automobile Association’s website carries the latest information on the State Highway network – www.aa.co.nz
There have been no reports of sustained power outages in the region.
Information is also online at www.civildefence.co.nz
Environment Southland is the brand name of Southland Regional Council.