Additional roads have been closed around the Ashburton district because of flooding from the rain event and these are being updated on our live road closures map.

Arundel Rakaia Gorge Road between Forks Road and Pudding Hill Road is now closed, as well as roads near the north branch of the Ashburton River, at Thompsons Track.

State Highway 77 is closed between Blackford Road and Mt Hutt Station Road due to a wash out. A detour is in place, and allow extra time for your journey.

Mayor Neil Brown said there are no concerns for the State Highway 1 Ashburton River bridge at this stage.

“We expect to see about half the volume of water in the river compared to last May’s floods but there are no concerns and the bridge is safe.”

A full list of the road closures is available on Council’s website and people are advised to drive with caution. Civil Defence advise only essential travel.

The Ashburton Civil Defence activated its emergency operations centre this morning and is aware that one property owner who lives near the north branch of the Ashburton River decided to self-evacuate last night.

Property owners that could be affected by any breakouts on the river will be contacted by Environment Canterbury.

Mr Brown said there were worries that new gravel banks on the south side of the north branch just above Thompsons Track were being eroded and that some flood water may escape.

There were no flooding concerns for Ashburton town at this stage, he said.

Contractors in Methven are working to keep stormwater in a creek near the racecourse from flowing down State Highway 77 into the township.

Sandbags are available in Methven from KT’s Contracting.

A precautionary boil water notice has just been issued for the Mount Somers supply and follows a precautionary boil water notice issued for the Methven water supply earlier today.

Residents connected to these schemes are advised to boil their drinking water, water used in food preparation, and for hygiene purposes for at least one minute before consumption.

The precautionary boil water notices will remain in place until further advised.

Water tanks will be deployed to Methven while the town is under the boil water notice. A safe drinking water bladder will also be in place at Mount Somers.

A 10,000-litre water tanker will be located at the Methven Medical Centre and smaller water tanks are at Methven House and two childcare centres. People can bring their own containers to access clean, safe drinking water.