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Emergency Management Southland is urging Southlanders to use a lull in the foul weather to prepare for the next wave, which is forecast to include high winds today and more snow tomorrow.
The break in snowfall will give them a chance to clear sagging roofs before the wild weather starts again.
The region was hit hard by heavy snow at the weekend, causing the roofs of Stadium Southland's and Wren's paint shop to collapse, the roof of Windsor New World supermarket to partially collapse, and roofs of commercial buildings, including The Warehouse and Farmers department store, to sag.
"It doesn't look like we had snow overnight and some has definitely melted," Civil Defence spokeswoman Adrienne Henderson said today.
"Hopefully, we can melt some of it today and Tuesday before we get anymore, and then it may not be too much of an issue. We're just sitting and waiting and seeing at the moment."
Civil Defence decided against declaring a state of emergency yesterday, but warned schools and businesses to be cautious about re-opening today because of the risk of more roofs collapsing.
"We want them to consider the risk to the public before they decide to do that."
"The scale of the response will be reduced this afternoon, but with high winds and further snow forecast for the next 48 hours, the emergency operations centre is not being stood down completely," Civil Defence controller Neil Cruickshank said.
Mr Cruickshank urged people to take stock of their ability to cope with another onslaught of bad weather and take action today, saying many had been caught out when all Invercargill's supermarkets closed yesterday.
"Every household should be prepared to cope by having at least three days supply of essential food and water."
Aurora College, Southland Community College and the Southern Institute of Technology were among those who had decided not to open today.
People were warned against getting on to roofs and trying to push snow off.
"We don't want to fill up A and E with broken wrist and legs and things from falling off," Ms Henderson said.
"The other thing is for people to watch out for ice if they're driving or walking along footpaths."
Invercargill mayor Tim Shadbolt said yesterday the Invercargill City Council would be investigating why the roof of the $10 million Stadium Southland collapsed, saying there were concerns about its structural soundness since it was built 10 years ago.
A meeting was to be held today to discuss the stadium, which had been cleared for demolition.
Road closures
State highways around New Zealand remain closed as parts of the country continue to be lashed by strong winds, heavy rain and snow.
A weekend storm over the whole country cut power to thousands of residents and caused widespread damage with continuing bad weather keeping businesses and schools shut in Southland today.
MetService has issued a heavy rain warning for the western South Island and warns gusts of 130km/h are expected to lash exposed parts of the Hawkes Bay south of Napier and the Wairarapa until tomorrow morning.
Another front is set to move across the lower South Island this evening, followed by very strong and cold southwesterlies, it said.
Southwest gales are likely in Southland and Clutha with snow showers to low levels throughout the region tonight and tomorrow, the forecaster said.
Weatherwatch's head analyst Philip Duncan said cold air from near the ice shelf would keep temperatures to a high of just 2C inland and 7C to 8C in Invercargill and Dunedin.
He warned that conditions were likely to get worse before getting better.
"The large storm that has caused damage across the country will take another three or four days to fully move away," he said.
"However, with the spring equinox arriving on Thursday, you can expect windy weather conditions to linger for the next four to six weeks."
MetService and and weatherwatch have warned that predicted gales in the Hawkes Bay and Wairarapa will be strong enough to damage power lines and trees and make driving hazardous.
Motorists are also being urged to take extreme care when driving in the other parts of the North Island.
A number of slips have closed SH43 between Stratford and Taumarunui, and SH56 is closed at the intersection with Highway 56 south of Palmerston North due to flooding. Detours are in place.
Cautions are in place following slips on SH1 at Mangaweka and Utiku (4km south of Taihape), SH4 between Wanganui and Kakatahi, and SH3 at Ratana, and following rock falls on SH3 at Woodville in the Manuwatu Gorge.
In the South Island, SH94 is closed between the Lower Hollyford turnoff and Milford Sound due to snow fall. SH94 is the only road access to Milford Sound and Fiordland cruise operators in Te Anau are instead taking passengers to Doubtful Sound.
Snow near the tunnel should ease at midday, then turn to persistent snow this evening. MetService forecasters expect 15-25cm to accumulate through to midnight tonight.
The New Zealand Transport Agency has placed restrictions on drivers travelling on SH7 (Lewis Pass), from Hanmer Springs to Springs Junction due to snow fall. Chains are essential and the road in closed for towing vehicles. MetService anticipates snow over higher parts of the road to clear this evening, with 4-8cm accumulating near the summit until 3pm today.
NZTA is cautioning drivers travelling on SH94 from Gore to Mandeville due to ice. Extreme care is advised for people driving on SH1 from Lorneville to Clifden, Invercargill to Bluff, and Edendale to Invercargill, SH98 Lorneville to Dacre, and SH6 Winton to Invercargill and Athol To Lowther due to snow fall.
Heavy snow is expected this morning near the summit of Arthurs Pass and is expected to ease to a few snow showers this afternoon, before turning to snow again tonight down to 700 metres. MetService anticipate 15-20cm of snow to accumulate near the summit by midnight tonight, with lesser amounts lower down.
Snow showers are expected to clear at Lindis Pass by midday, although they may return this evening. By midnight 3-5cm of snow is expected to accumulate.
NZTA is advising extreme care when driving in Southland due to the heavy snow and black ice. It said drivers should watch for ice in shaded areas and bridge decks, and should carry chains when travelling the alpine passes.
Power cuts
Electricity lines company Vector said yesterday that it had repaired up to 30 high-voltage lines in Auckland after the storm. It called in 100 extra staff to help restore power to 30,000 customers.
Power was restored late last night to about 200 homes in the northwest of Auckland, including Muriwai, Piha, Riverhead and Coatsville.
Vector spokesperson Helen Kerr said some homes north of the harbour bridge may still be without hot water due to pilot faults, but staff were working to resolve to fix them "as soon as they can".
"Our concern has been for people to keep treating all lines everywhere as live," said Vector group chief executive officer Simon McKenzie yesterday.
One of the last Vector problem areas yesterday was in Volcanic Rd, Balmoral, where wires were ripped apart when a 13m-high gum tree was blown down on to a power pole at 9.30pm on Friday. The tree fell across the road, missing the Misa family's home by a few metres.
"We heard a swoosh noise when it came down," said Slavenka Misa. "The wind was so loud we didn't hear the tree crack the power pole."
Electricity lines company Vector said yesterday that it had repaired up to 30 high-voltage lines in Auckland after the storm. It called in 100 extra staff to help restore power to 30,000 customers.
Power was restored late last night to about 200 homes in the northwest of Auckland, including Muriwai, Piha, Riverhead and Coatsville.
Vector spokesperson Helen Kerr said some homes north of the harbour bridge may still be without hot water due to pilot faults, but staff were working to resolve to fix them "as soon as they can".
"Our concern has been for people to keep treating all lines everywhere as live," said Vector group chief executive officer Simon McKenzie yesterday.
Around 500 households across central North Island continue to be without power, but Powerco hopes to have their power restored by the end of the day.
