Widespread flooding, fallen trees and slips have closed SH6 between Haast and Ross on the West Coast this morning (Satruday November 9).

Heavy rain has been pummelling the West Coast including the Grey and Buller districts but forecasts are for the rain easing today.

“Our crews will continue to clean up the fallen trees and slips around Bruce Bay, the glacier towns and south of Ross but the Knights Point cracks are of more concern,” NZTA system manager Mark Pinner said.

“We will have a surveyor on site this afternoon and more geotechnical inspections by chopper Sunday morning to assess the area at Knights Point.

"SH6 through Knights Point area will remain closed for the weekend with the next update for the route between Fox Glacier and Haast at 10 am Monday.”

Cracks in the highway at Knights Point, the site of the major Epitaph Slip in 2012, north of Haast, require more geotechnical investigation today and tomorrow, NZTA said.

Cracks in the road at Knights Point

There is no detour route for SH6 at Knights Point. People wanting to get to Greymouth or Hokitika will need to travel via Arthur’s Pass or the Lewis Pass from the east coast or delay their journeys.

• SH6 from Fox Glacier to Ross is closed with the next update at 3pm Saturday November 9.
• Haast to Fox Glacier is closed, likely through until Monday morning, with next update due by 10am Monday (November 11). 

An earlier closure between Makarora and Haast township (Haast Pass) has since reopened.