A Danseys Pass couple still partly cut off from the outside world following a winter storm nearly three weeks ago now fear that more heavy rain could leave them isolated until Christmas.
Lavender growers Barry and Jo Todd were first cut off after the Danseys Pass bridge was destroyed by floodwater on June 17. Mr Todd said they could now ford the north branch of the Maerewhenua River with their 4WD vehicle, but that was becoming increasingly ''dicey'' because snowmelt meant the river level fluctuated.
''We can get in and out by four-wheel-drive, but the river is about half a metre deep and it's pretty awkward access.
''I went out the other day and put a marker on the side of the river to get the level, and when I came back it was about a foot past the marker and it was half dark. I went through it all right but you don't know how deep it's going to be when it's above the marker.''
The MetService yesterday issued a further heavy rain warning for the Main Divide. Mr Todd said more rain would leave him cut off again.
''If it rains again that will be it for me, because my truck won't get through.
''They are talking about another 120mm of rain, so if we get that it's going to be it. We're going to be locked in again, and they are talking about not getting a bridge until Christmas.''
Mr Todd said the farm was well supplied with food, but added that the Waitaki District Council had been ''dragging their feet'' on the issue.
''The council were out here every day the first week and now we haven't seen them since.''
Nobody from the council was available for comment yesterday, but its assets manager, Neil Jorgensen, said in a flood damage report earlier this week replacing the bridge would take some time.
In the meantime, the council would be installing a ford.
The cost was part of the estimated $1.6 million in damage to council roads, part of which would be subsidised by the New Zealand Transport Agency.
The council's share would initially be met from its disaster fund, repaid by any roading surplus at the end of the financial year.
