Huge number of roads still blocked after floods

At least five sections of state highways in the lower North Island were still closed and countless smaller roads still blocked last night in the wake of vicious summer storms and flooding.

SH4 from Raetihi to Wanganui, SH43 between Stratford and Taumarunui, SH54 from Vinegar Hill near Hunterville to Cheltenham, SH54 at the Colyton turnoff to Fielding and the Manawatu Gorge were all closed, said a Transit NZ spokeswoman.

But state highways got off lightly compared with local roads, she said. "Hundreds and hundreds" had slips and other damage.

Transit's Wanganui regional manager Errol Christiansen said Transit was cleaning up the last major slip in the Manawatu Gorge but it would likely be closed for "weeks".

He estimated damage of $7.5 million in the Wanganui region alone.

Estimates of total flood damage in the lower North Island have been put as high as $200 million.

Acting Prime Minister Michael Cullen said yesterday that the Government would legislate to give Inland Revenue more flexibility in dealing with those having problems paying their taxes because of floods.

- NZPA