Christchurch faces clean-up after flood

Jamie Holloway carries Kirsten Lefebvre back to their car after checking on their home. Picture / Simon Baker

Dozens of Christchurch residents face a big clean-up today after heavy rain caused the Heathcote River to burst its banks and flood their properties.

Residents of one house were evacuated, but most remained in their homes and waited for floodwaters to recede after the river, which runs through suburban Christchurch, overflowed early yesterday.

A welfare centre was set up last night at Cashmere High School for any residents who could not get back into their homes, and meals were provided by the Salvation Army.

Elsewhere in the city, about 90mm of rain caused flooding and landslips blocked roads.

Eastern Tce, running alongside the Heathcote, was completely submerged for most of the day, blocking driveways.

Sandbags were laid by council contractors to try to protect properties.

Resident Kirsten Lefebvre and her three children were carried out by contractors after their section was submerged up to the foundations of their home.

"The front lawn and garden were under water. The one thing I could see was the daffodil heads sticking out. It got pretty close [to getting into the house]."

Her partner had made it out of the house about 6.30am, but by 11am contractors told Ms Lefebvre she and her children would have to leave because they feared the high tide could cause the water level to rise further.

"I dare say there will be a lot of silt and leaves and general rubbish up my driveway," she said.

Ruth Shaw got up during the night to check on the river and found the water lapping at the front entrance of her section. About 7.30am the water was in her yard and pushing under her garage door.

"The front lawn was completely under water, and the front garden," Mrs Shaw said. "We have been here nearly five years and it was the worst I have seen it."

About midday, Mrs Shaw and her husband, Ted, were told they might have to evacuate.

"We said we would rather stay a bit longer and see what happens. I'm quite pleased we made that decision."

Campbell Platt and wife Megan were unable to get out of their house to go to work yesterday morning.

"[The river] flooded about two months ago and we just got out," Mr Platt said, "but today there was no chance of getting out at all."