24 May 2016

Ice and flooding on Otago and Southland roads

10:10 am on 24 May 2016

Motorists are being warned to take care on Otago and Southland roads that have reopened after earlier being closed by rain and snow.

State Highway 8 between Omarama and Tarras on the Lindis Pass is now reopen to traffic after being closed overnight.

NZTA has warned there was still ice on the road and extra care was needed.

SH 90 in Otago was also closed at Pomahaka Bridge because of flooding, but reopened a short time ago.

Motorists have also been urged to be cautious on State Highway 83 between Kurow and Omarama because of snow and ice, and flooding was also affecting the road between Oamaru and Kurow.

The NZ Transport Agency has issued cautions due to flooding in Southland for State Highway 97, from Mossburn to Five Rivers, and State Highway 6, from Nokomai to Fairlight.

Maintenance crews were in clean up mode around West Otago today.

MacFarlane Road remains closed after the Pomahaka River flooded last night.

Ardmore Road and Wooded Hill Road have reopened but drivers were urged to take care as there was still surface flooding and debris on the roads.

The Clutha District Council said Civil Defence will continue to monitor rivers in the region.

Heavy snow trapped 38 people in 13 four-wheel-drive vehicles on a track in the Old Man Range north-west of Roxburgh, before being rescued yesterday afternoon.

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