5 February 2020
A state of emergency has been declared in the busy tourist area, Milford Sound, and also in Southland. 30 tourists were rescued by helicopter on Tuesday (February, 4) from Howden Hut, near Fiordland’s Lake Howden after the hut was hit by a landslide as a result of the rain, in the early hours of the morning.
A reported 382 people were trapped at the beginning of the week, but thay number is said to have fallen to under 200. Some of those trapped are staying at a lodge on higher ground, while others are staying on tourist boats.
The region’s emergency management controller Angus McKay told Sky News: “They have plenty of food and are safe and warm.”
