Gray District Council/Provided
As of 11:30 a.m. Monday, rain had not entered the CBD building.
A torrential downpour that destroyed the rain radar closed the roads in Greymouth.
According to Gray District Council’s social media, Greymouth’s CBD opened at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, despite being closed to traffic for more than an hour.
Are you affected by flooding? Contact us at reports@press.co.nz with any tips, photos or videos.
Access from Boundary St to Herbert St to Leonard St and Guinness St to Williams St remained closed.
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A sudden downpour on Monday morning caused surface flooding that could damage businesses in the CBD.
Gray District Mayor Tania Gibson said the road was closed to prevent water from being rushed towards buildings by passing vehicles.
She said the “flood” was so heavy that it broke Congress’ rain radar. It was understood that the West Coast Regional Council’s radar was working. She approached the local council for comment.
Fire and Emergency Operations Manager Daniel Reilly said Greymouth personnel were dispatched to assist with surface flooding in the CBD around 11:20 a.m. when some stores were scheduled to flood.
He understood that the storm drains couldn’t keep up with the weather. The crew remained on site until contractor Waka Kotahi arrived.
11:50 a.m. There was no warning for Greymouth, according to MetService, and the rain was expected to ease by 1 p.m.