Oops. Weather.
There was torrential rain after I left Greymouth – I was trying to get to Christchurch via the Arthur’s Pass highway (highway 73). The road was flooded and blocked by debris, and the rushing water was eroding the highway. I got there right as it happened.
There are only three highways connecting the South Island’s west coast and east coast. I had to backtrack more that 100 km to get to the next possible route over the mountains, and the consequence was that, because I have to meet my ferry back to Wellington tomorrow at a fixed time, I realized I would have to skip visiting Christchurch.
So I’m staying the night in Kaikoura, now – on the east coast but about 200 km north of Christchurch.
Here is the rain.
Here is the flood blocking the highway.
In other news, there’s a super giant humungous cyclone (aka hurricane) headed for my mom’s house. I just missed it. I hope she’s OK. Do you see her waving, up just west of the red spot in the satellite image?
