The main highway of the West Coast is blocked, businesses are worried

Businesses are worried that tourists will not be able to reach them as the main road linking the West Coast communities is closed north of Haast due to damage from the adverse weather conditions, and local authorities have issued advice on what to do if you have property is damaged.

A local state of emergency has been declared in southern Westland was raised late Sunday, following flooding, landslides, evacuations, inundation of homes and damage to roads and highways on Saturday.

But the main route along the west coast, State Highway 6, is still closed between Haast in the south and Fox Glacier in the north – a detour is not available.

This has left some Westland communities isolated, meaning anyone wanting to travel between Haast and Franz Josef, Ross, Hokitika or Greymouth must make a 12-hour detour across the east coast via Arthur’s Pass or Lewis Pass.

Transport agency Waka Kotahi said large cracks in the highway in the Knights Point area, north of Haast, were causing concern and the earliest information on the condition of the road would not be available until Monday.

SH6 from Fox Glacier to Ross was also closed due to slips and flooding, but NZTA said it had reopened, although there could still be debris in the area and drivers should take care.

Westland Paringa township Salmon Cafe owner Ben Monk is worried he will lose business if the highway is not repaired soon, as many of his customers travel north from Wanaka.

Sliding in the Knights Point area during the weather was a known weakness, he said, adding to the frustration.

“This mistake has caused concern to all local residents, … local tourism operators (for) many years and we have tried time and time again to express our concern and something – an alternative route or something to be done about it – no one listened.

“If this road is closed now and they deem it unsafe, we could be closed for months.”

Kayak and ATV tour operator Dale Burrows said while some tourists were able to go on Sunday’s tour, others were unable to get there, which was a problem.

“This significantly affects the tourist flow of the region.

“There will be a lot of cancellations as people have to change their journeys as they continue their journey across the country.”

Property damage

West Coast residents who experience property damage are advised to contact their insurance company to file a claim and document any damage.

The floodwaters hit property at Hanna Cleaning in particular, as well as other locations on the West Coast.

Emergency management controller Claire Brown said people with flooded homes should contact the council’s building control department as soon as possible for a quick building assessment.

And homeowners should take photos of the damage to help their insurer assess what they’re entitled to.

Brown reported more information about rights available at Natural Hazards Commission website.