Photo: Wayne Costello/DocSouth Westland is still mopping up after this week's once-in-a-century storm, and a state of emergency remained in place yesterday. A replacement Bailey bridge was expected to start its trip to Franz Josef via Otago - but a timeline was not available. Haast was still without power and there are concerns about the tourism industry, compounded by damage to both glacier access roads. During this week's flood, the access road at nearby Franz Josef sustained significant damage. Dr Caroline Orchiston, deputy director at the Centre for Sustainability at the University of Otago, said the Franz Josef area was a highly dynamic, hazard-prone environment.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 28, 2019 15:34 UTC