Latest on roads, weather

Latest reports of trouble on the raods and weather problems will appear at the top of this page as they become available.

2.00pm - Gisborne to Opotiki

State Highway Two from Gisborne to Opotiki remains closed as contractors work to clear snow and ice that is making the road too dangerous for vehicles.

There have been snow falls near Matawai and inland from Gisborne.

Half-a-dozen heavy trucks had to be led out by a grader earlier this morning.

Officials are inspecting the road every half-hour to see if it is safe, but at this stage it is too dangerous to reopen it.

The snow has turned to rain and there is a lot of surface flooding along the East Coast Road.

State Highway 35 is open but care is needed with more rain expected as the front moves up the coast.

State Highway Two south of Gisborne has been reopened after snow was cleared on parts of the highway in northern Hawke's Bay.
- NEWSTALK ZB

12.10pm - Gisborne

High winds have damaged several high voltage power lines in the Gisborne area.

Chris Roberts from Transpower says the Gisborne area is now reliant on generation from Waikaremoana until it can be reconnected to the national grid.

He said the area does still have power. Helicopters are flying over the area to assess the problem.
- NEWSTALK ZB

11.25am - Napier-Taupo road

Scores of motorists have been rescued from State Highway 5, the Napier-Taupo road.

Up to 100 people were caught in snow yesterday and had to be driven through to Napier by volunteers from the local four wheel drive club.

A briefing will be held this morning to work out a plan to reunite the stranded drivers with their vehicles.
- NEWSTALK ZB

10am - Central North Island

Chances are slim of central North Island roads opening within the next few hours as snow closes all roads in the Central Plateau region.

The Napier-Taupo Road (State Highway 5), is coated in snow half a metre thick. It is not expected to open until midday at the earliest. The only route open between Wellington and Auckland is State Highway 3 through Taranaki.

The drive adds more than 100 kilometres to the usual trip.

Transit New Zealand's Regional Network Manager, Ian Cox, says there is a slight possibility that some of the roads could open for part of the day but that depends on how long it takes for ice to melt.

Road clearing gangs are using every available snow plough and grader, but Mr Cox says they are stretched thin, as the problems run from from Turangi to Taihape. A blustery southerly is also making conditions unpleasant.
- NEWSTALK ZB

10am - Timaru

The Mayor of Timaru is standing by the local power company as it struggles to reconnect 100 people a day in the snow-affected area, but is concerned about safety issues for workers.

Alpine Energy is trying to reconnect about 600 households still without power.

Timaru mayor Janie Annear, says the company has brought in extra crews from around the country and she believes it is doing the best it can to restore supplies.

But she claims there are dangers for linesmen who are not familiar with the area and says safety has to be the number one priority.

Meanwhile, collections have started in Christchurch to help people in mid and South Canterbury affected by the worst storm to hit the region in 30 years.

The "Send a Ray of Sunshine Down South" campaign is urging people to bring anything small contributions such as baking, cards or chocolate to the Red Cross to be sent south.

The packs will be delivered to households which have been without electricity for long periods of time.
- NEWSTALK ZB

10am - Gisborne and Hawkes Bay

Gisborne and Hawke's Bay are bracing for the worst today. Rain hit the region early this morning and MetService expects bad weather for most of the day.

Up to 160 millimetres of rain is forecast and Civil Defence is preparing for flooding.

Civil Defence is monitoring the situation closely, as soil in the area is already sodden and the catchments are close to full.

A Hawke's Bay Regional Council spokeswoman believes authorities will be able to cope with the expected downpour, but says Gisborne has experienced more rain over the past few days and might struggle.

Gisborne police said there were several trucks stuck in the Matawai Gorge. The drivers have made contact with police and are settling in to wait out the weather.
Trees are also blocking several roads around Gisborne and police are warning drivers to take care.
- NEWSTALK ZB, NZPA

8.30am - Gisborne and Hawkes Bay ranges

The very strong, cold southeast flow onto Gisborne and Hawkes Bay will continue through much of today and a band of rain in this flow will bring heavy falls to the Gisborne ranges with up to 150mm possible by late evening. Farther south though in northern Hawkes Bay the rain has eased.

Temperatures are still low and further heavy snowfalls are likely in the Gisborne ranges with lighter falls in the Hawkes Bay ranges.The southeast gales about the Gisborne ranges and eastern Bay of Plenty may reach severe gale at times later today.
- METSERVICE