Flyover reveals Nelson flood damage

DON SCOTT BILL MOORE BILL MOORE LEE GRIFFITHS/The Nelson Mail PAMELA SUTTON/The Nelson Mail PAMELA SUTTON/The Nelson Mail PATRICK ROSE/The Nelson Mail

Bob Gordon at his home in Tahunanui, Nelson. Mud has pushed through his backdoor.

Allan St residents dig a channel through slip debris on the Grampians walkway to divert water away from their homes below.

A muddy torrent flows down the steps of an Allan St home.

Flooding in the Brook Street area, Nelson.

Flooding in the Brook Street area, Nelson.

Flooding in the Brook Street area, Nelson.

Road workers inspect the damage of a wash out on Bird's Hill, Nelson.

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An aerial flyover has revealed the damage to the flood-stricken top of the south is worse than expected, with more rain expected in the hills today.

The assessment of the region showed significantly more damage than expected, particularly in Ligar Bay and Cable Bay.

Slips in Nelson city alone now number about 230.

Rocks Rd, one of two main routes into Nelson, was still closed this morning, along with many other roads around the region.

NZTA operations manager Mark Owen said crews had been hard at work clearing slips on the road this morning, and geotechnical experts were inspecting the rock face on a crane.

It was hoped to have the road reopened by early this afternoon, although it would be with reduced lane widths, and no access for cyclists.

Staff were also "working minor miracles" on SH60 at Bird's Hill, "a key lifeline" into the Golden Bay region.

It was hoped a section of the road would be reopened to one lane this afternoon.

A Civil Defence spokesperson said Ligar Bay was in "pretty bad shape", with more slips and damage to homes worse than expected, while the flyover also showed dozens of significant landslips in Cable Bay which has been completely cut off.

The Nelson Mail yesterday organised a boat of supplies to take into residents who were running low.

Civil Defence is expecting to fly in another two days worth of supplies this afternoon.

A number of residents have evacuated to neighbour's properties, and many are running low on water and other basic supplies.

Power is completely out in the area, and it is estimated to be about two or three weeks before the roads can be cleared.

Meanwhile, Collingwood, Totaranui, Wainui Bay, and Tata Bay also remain cut off.

NZTA are hoping to restore access for light vehicles delivering supplies only to Collingwood this afternoon.

Water and sewer facilities are still unavailable in Pohara.

An aerial inspection of the Maitai Pipeline, Nelson's main water supply, yesterday showed eight slips, but none of these posed a risk to the pipeline at this stage, according to Civil Defence.

Civil Defence said priorities today would be working on road issues in Golden Bay and Cable Bay.

Building inspectors would also be out across the region.

MetService forecaster Chris Noble said there was not a significant amount of rain expected in the region today, but there would be some showers in the north western ranges, near Kahurangi National Park, and the Richmond ranges which could spread across to Nelson and Tasman. This could be up to 20mm in some places.

Civil Defence said about 205 phones were still out in Tahunanui, and were still not expected to be fixed until December 22.

- © Fairfax NZ News