Group Controller for Emergency Management Otago (EMO), Matt Alley, says with further rain forecast – combined with a level of unpredictability - rivers and streams could continue to rise and potentially overflow on properties or roads.

With daybreak, road use is becoming a major concern for peoples’ safety. Slips near Dunedin suburbs of Ravensbourne and Macandrew Bay have affected water supplies, with tankers standing by to go to those areas.

“Please stay at home and away from roads,” he says.

“If able to safely do so, please check on neighbours in your immediate area,” he says.

He stressed anyone facing an emergency situation should call 111, while those needing assistance should contact their local council.

“We’re now expecting a second peak [rain] peak about midafternoon, but it will continue well into the evening,” Mr Alley says.

At 09:30, Metservice said the slow moving front was expected to bring further heavy rain to the southeast of the South Island – highlighting Otago. The duration and the amounts are very unusual and major impacts are already being felt in North Otago, Dunedin and coastal Clutha; the RED Warning remains in force for those areas. The rain is expected to ease late tonight. Rain is expected to continue in Southland for much of today and a Watch for heavy rain is in force there.

Mr Alley notes ORC flood and drainage infrastructure across the Taieri is working well. Flood and drainage infrastructure in the Lower Clutha is working well but there is severe surface flooding, from the rainfall. 

Even for farmers who have moved stock already, Mr Alley suggests they assess their circumstances and whether stock should again be moved to higher ground – but only if it is safe to do so.

“We appreciate this [potential stock losses] is a distressing time for farmers and out thoughts are with them and everyone else affected,” he says.

There have also residential power outages, with Aurora Energy staff working on the lines at present, expecting outages around Cape Saunders, with roads and streets affected Allans Beach Road, Cape Saunders Road, Dick Road, Kaimata Road, McKay Road, Papanui Inlet Road, Sheppard Road.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi said early this morning that with the severe weather impacting Otago and Southland, several road closures are currently in place on the state highway network.

• SH87 Kyeburn to Hyde remains CLOSED due to flooding this morning.
• SH88 Forsyth Barr Stadium to Port Chalmers is CLOSED due to a slip.
• SH90 Waikoikoi to Tapanui is CLOSED due to flooding. Detour in place - northbound traffic turn left onto Koi Rd, right onto Sedden Hill Rd, continue along Station Rd, left to rejoin SH90. Reverse for southbound traffic.
• All other state highways are open

Waka Kotahi says please avoid all non-essential travel, if you must travel, be prepared for unexpected hazards when driving in these conditions.

For updates on all state highways, check our Journey Planner website which is updated 24/7, here: journeys.nzta.govt.nz/highway-conditions

People can keep updated on this changing situation through Emergency Management Otago Facebook page and website, and websites and Facebook of Waka Kotahi, and local district and city councils.

“Unless absolutely necessary, please avoid travel in the region as many parts of Otago are still being affected by this event. Rain is predicted to continue through to this evening.”

“There’s several sign-posted road closures and people should not try to go any further. More roads will likely be closed as rivers and streams rise or water run-off pools around roads. We don’t want anyone caught out by this,“ says Mr Alley.

Limited Dunedin buses are operating at present, but that is being reviewed hour-by-hour. See the Orbus web site for updates on service.

About 06.30 the Pomohaka at Burkes went through its 2nd alarm at 255 cumecs. Alexandra bridge went through its first alarm while the  Tairei River at Sutton went through its second alarm. About the same time, the Lower Clutha has just gone through third alarm 

There are currently 14 Otago Regional Council river monitoring stations which are currently in flood warning alert, including;

• Pomahaka River at Burkes Ford, latest at 388 cumecs at 9am;
• The Clutha River at Balclutha peaked at 1900-2000 cumecs at midnight, and at 9am was 1566 cumecs;
• Silverstream, including Mosgiel, estimated to reach 120 cumecs, but at 9am was around 29.2 cumecs. The station is called Silverstream at Gordon Rd.
• Mill Creek pump station (Lower Taieri) – extensive monitoring of this pump station will be done to ensure this functions as it should.
• Leith and Lindsay Streams (including Dunedin) at 9am were respectively 14.5 cumecs for Lindsay and 50.4 cumecs for Leith.

The ORC’s Environmental Data Portal is experiencing high traffic volumes affecting its effectiveness at present. The site is being worked on at present and people are asked to be patient. Please be considerate in using this tool, some people require access to the EDP for important decision-making today.

ORC’s General Manager Science and Resilience Tom Dyer said earlier ORC flood response crews responsible for flood control areas including the Leith Valley, Taieri/Silverstream and the Clutha schemes area have been preparing for the weather event. They have extra contractors on standby and have opened all Otago coastal river mouths as a precaution. Pumps on these schemes are also activated.

DCC assistance on 03 477 4000.