Motorists ignoring warnings

Civil Defence officials in flood-stricken Otago are becoming increasingly frustrated with motorists ignoring warnings to avoid unnecessary travel.

Milton in South Otago and Oamaru in North Otago are cut off by flooding after heavy rain, and no detours around the towns are available.

A Waitaki District Council spokesman said 50 rural roads across the district were closed, and that all travel should be avoided "unless completely necessary".

"Motorists are warned that if they travel on closed roads they risk losing insurance cover if they have an accident," the spokesman said.

A Clutha District council spokesman said State Highway 1 from Waihola to Balclutha was closed, cutting off Milton.

"There are no detours in place," he said.

"Emergency services are becoming increasingly frustrated with motorists attempting to detour around Milton and then running into trouble.

"All motorists are advised to stay away from the Milton area until further notice."

Milton resident John Stewart told NZPA he had lived in the town for 50 years and while he had seen worse flooding, "I don't think I've seen as much rain as this".

Earlier today, a massive landslip swept through a campground in flood-stricken Otago, shunting a building where up to 42 people where sleeping 6m across a roadway.

The building belonged to the Otago Youth Club Trust and among those evacuated were Red Cross emergency teams on a weekend training exercise.

- NZPA