Queenstown homes flooded, residents evacuated as winter storm hits South Island
Residents have been evacuated from homes in Queenstown overnight amid concerns about land stability as a deluge hit the town and surrounding areas.
Firefighters attended 16 flooding-related jobs overnight, mostly related to water entering homes, Fire and Emergency southern shift manager Lyn Crossan said.
Numerous other calls had also come in regarding flooding on properties and roads. Most jobs were in Queenstown, Frankton, Arrowtown, Lake Hawea and Wanaka.
Some Queenstown residents had been evacuated due to concerns about the stability of the ground around Fern Hill and Bowen Street, including at a campground, Crossan said.
However evacuees on Fern Hill side - as well as two fire trucks - could not get into Queenstown as flooding and debris had completely cut off the Fern Hill roundabout.
The roundabout, at the intersection of Fern Hill Rd and Lake Esplanade, was closed from 10.30am to 2.30am. Evacuees were sent to the Heritage Hotel, while those on the Queenstown side were sent to the Civil Defence’s welfare centre at the Memorial Centre.
The rain had eased around 1am.
Crossan said one car had become stuck in the water at the roundabout, although nobody was trapped.
“Sometimes in inclement weather people continue to go out and drive around. It just puts everybody more at risk including our firefighters.”
Roads closed, conserve water notice in place
The Crown Range Road is closed from Eastburn Rd to Cardrona until further notice due to “adverse weather conditions”, the NZ Transport Agency’s website says.
The Queenstown Lakes District Council said there were a number of road blockages across the district, including at the One Mile roundabout and Gorge Rd.
“Roading crews are working hard to clear these as quickly and safely as conditions allow.”
Around 2.30am the council said while the rain was beginning to ease, people should avoid unnecessary travel and take care on the roads, especially at night as surface flooding, debris and other hazards could be present.
People in Fernhill, Sunshine Bay, Queenstown CBD and Frankton Rd were being told to conserve water.
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