Heavy Rain, Flooding causing Havoc in Christchurch

Christchurch and its surrounding areas have been pelted with rain over the last 36 hours. 

The Selwyn District council announced a state of emergency at 5:40am this morning, and have distributed over 250 sandbags to the West Melton, Doyleston and Leeston areas. 

Lincoln High School, Darfield High, Ellesmere College and Leeston School have all been closed, due to road closures and severe flooding in the area.

Those in the area are being warned to not drive unless absolutely necessary.

Self evacuations are taking place in the Selwyn Huts due to rising flood water from the Selwyn River.

Both Prebbleton and Lincoln are being told by the Selwyn Council to try and minimise their water usage, due to the wastewater network becoming overwhelmed because of the volume of flood water going through.

The Selwyn District council announced at 11:15am that Leeston Road has now been closed due to the severe flooding in Doyleston. State Highway 1 is being closely monitored around the Selwyn bridge, with the river rising quickly.

Roads are closed all over, especially over in Banks Peninsula. State highway 75 to Akaroa is closed, along with Governors Bay Teddington road and Port Levy Pigeon Bay road.

There are closures in Christchurch, with Fitzgerald Avenue closed early this morning due to the Avon flooding, as well as Cambridge Terrace and New Brighton Road. 

The Selwyn District council announced at 11:15am that Leeston Road has now been closed due to the severe flooding in Doyleston.

Water supplies are being monitored for Banks Peninsula, but the Christchurch City Council say they are in a good place at the moment, but there is a plan in place. 

As far as airports and flying goes, Air New Zealand Chief Operating Officer Alex Marren, says the flights in and out of Wellington have been cancelled due to the wind in the Capital. 

The heavy rain warning continues through to 6pm tonight for all of Christchruch. There is good news though, with the rain meant to ease up tonight.