Weather live updates: Flooding, rockfalls in Queenstown, evacuations as winter storm hits South Island

Flooding and rockfalls have affected a swathe of Queenstown and surrounding areas overnight as a late-night deluge hit the town amid a significant winter storm across the South Island.Snow, heavy rain and slips are causing hazardous travel conditions, while some residents were evacuated from their homes overnight amid concerns about land stability.Firefighters attended 16 flooding-related jobs during the night, mostly related to water entering homes, Fire and Emergency southern shift manager Lyn Crossan said.Numerous other calls had also come in regarding flooding on properties and roads. Most jobs were in Queenstown, Frankton, Arrowtown, Lake Hawea and Wanaka with more expected this morning.Some Queenstown residents had been evacuated due to concerns about the stability of the ground around Fern Hill and Bowen Street, including at a campground, Crossan said.Wye Place in the Fernhill area of Queenstown was badly affected by heavy rain and flooding last night. Water went through multiple homes, the Herald understands. Photo / SuppliedHowever evacuees on Fern Hill side could not get into Queenstown as flooding and debris had completely cut off the Fern Hill roundabout. Two fire trucks were also unable to get through for several hours.The roundabout, at the intersection of Fern Hill Rd and Lake Esplanade, was closed from 10.30am to 2.30am. Evacuees were sent to the Heritage Hotel, while those on the Queenstown side were sent to the Civil Defence’s welfare centre at the Memorial Centre.The rain had eased around 1am.Crossan said one car had become stuck in the water at the roundabout, although nobody was trapped.“Sometimes in inclement weather people continue to go out and drive around. It just puts everybody more at risk including our firefighters.”Slips close roads, conserve water notice in placeA van is stuck in debris from a slip in Wānaka, around the 9km mark Mt Aspiring Rd, according to a social media post from the council just before 7am. Other vehicles can still get around the slip.The council urged people to avoid non-essential travel, warning there were multiple other slips, washouts, rockfalls and surface flooding, including on Haast Pass Road, Luggate Hill, Tarras Road, and Kingston Road.“Expect delays, traffic management, and ongoing disruptions throughout the day,” the council said.Rain has gone into several Queenstown homes and threatened to breach many more. Photo / SuppliedThe Crown Range Road - which was closed earlier due to rockfall - had reopened thanks to “an outstanding effort from our wonderful crews” early this morning, the council said.“There’s still a few minor slips which have been clearly marked, so you can safely travel the route.”Surface flooding was also affecting a number of roads and the Fernhill/One Mile roundabout, while Queenstown Hill was unaffected. Gorge Rd remains closed near Bowen Street.Along the Glenorchy-Queenstown Rd, flooding and slip issues were affecting the One Mile pumping station and roundabout, with only minor surface flooding and isolated rockfall beyond Sunshine Bay.Around 2.30am the council said while the rain was beginning to ease, people should avoid unnecessary travel and take care on the roads, especially at night as surface flooding, debris and other hazards could be present.People in Fernhill, Sunshine Bay, Queenstown CBD and Frankton Rd were being told to conserve water.