Re-routed

Major floods washed out approaches to both bridges over the Rangitata river. This has meant there has been NO way of travelling into South Canterbury from Christchurch nor travelling into Mid Canterbury from Timaru. The West Coast road is also washed out due to slips and flooding. Effectively cutting the South Island in two.

I went to Christchurch Saturday morning - crossing the bridge about 8.30. They closed it at 10.30, leaving me, and thousands of others stranded from home. I'm really lucky to have plenty of choices of places to stay in Christchurch. I did; however, have to go and buy clean clothes.

The road finally opened this afternoon - but only the inland (much longer) route - and that has had to be patched up from a lot of flood damage to get it open. With so many people desperate to get through in both directions, after being stranded for 48 hours, and lots of major road works to navigate, the trip often had us at a virtual stand still - with sold traffic the entire way.

What is usually a 90 minute trip from Rolleston to Temuka took 4 hours today.

I feel fortunate to be home.