Heavy rain and wet roads in Franz Josef during floods on November 9, 2024.
Photo: Provided / Allan Dick

Officials are returning to assess damage on the West Coast from Saturday’s heavy rain.

A a state of emergency was declared and Franz Josef experienced its wettest 24 hours in more than four decades.

Highway 6 from Fox Glacier to Haast was damaged and is closed until at least Monday, leaving some communities isolated.

Civil Defense Comptroller Kevin Hague said officials would be contacting communities in the district today to assess the damage.

Some homes in Hannah’s Clearing on the West Coast have suffered flood damage after heavy rains hit the region.

While the rain eased last night, it left landslides and flooding behind.

Overnight and morning rain in Fiordland and the West Coast was exceptional, even by the standards of this very wet region!

Franz Josef has had its wettest day (9am-9am) since 1979, and Lake Moeraki has had its wettest day on record since 1985. pic.twitter.com/JmnwuRZoqH

— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) November 8, 2024

Hague said Hannah’s Clearing, south of Haast, was heavily damaged and some people evacuated on Friday.

At least four homes were damaged by the floods, but they won’t have a clear idea of ​​the damage until later today.

Hague said the deluge did not last as long as predicted, but that the state of emergency was still necessary while they got a better idea of ​​the extent of the flooding and landslides.

“The weather event has moved faster than we had hoped and that’s great news in terms of minimizing the damage we have to respond to.”

The emergency management center will remain staffed until Monday.

A section of the Waiho River on Saturday morning.
Photo: Supplied / West Coast Regional Council

Roads closed after landslides

Trees and debris along SH6 in Fox Hills.
Photo: Supplied / NZTA

In a statement on Saturday, the New Zealand Transport Agency said parts of the state highway would remain closed over the weekend.

Systems manager Mark Pinner said: “Our crews will continue to clear fallen trees and landslides around Bruce Bay, Glacier Towns and south of Ross, but the Knights Point fissures are of more concern.”

SH6 through the Knights Point area will remain closed over the weekend, with the next update for the route between Fox Glacier and Haast at 10am on Monday.

NZTA said no detour is available for SH6 at Knights Point.

“People wanting to get to Greymouth or Hokitika will have to come via Arthur’s Pass or Lewis Pass on the east coast for now, or delay their journey.”

Mitchell said it is “hopeful” that the roads will be restored and reopened as soon as possible.

“Obviously, the big focus right now is public safety and ensuring a strong response.

“The West Coasts are pretty good and used to dealing with water and rain, but for us as a country this is a reality. We will continue to be affected by these weather events and obviously it is extremely important how we respond. and react to it.”