Media release

ORC rainfall monitoring focus on North Otago and Dunedin

Wednesday 16 November 2016

ORC’s rainfall monitoring focus for the next 24 to 48 hours will be on North Otago and Dunedin, with MetService having just issued a severe thunderstorm watch for North Otago in effect until 8pm today. Large, damaging hailstorms may result.

Heavy rain is not expected to be as intense as first thought. Rivers in already-saturated catchments are still expected to rise, but not as high as originally forecast.

However, Otago Regional Council (ORC) staff are continuing to monitor the situation, and people should remain vigilant as rivers can rise quickly without warning. Updates will be provided as required on our Twitter account and our WaterInfo site (water.orc.govt.nz).

More information about river, lake, and groundwater levels is available at www.water.orc.govt.nz and weather information at www.metservice.com. Information from Otago Civil Defence Emergency Management is at www.otagocdem.govt.nz.

For more information please contact

Dr Gavin Palmer
Director engineering, hazards, and science
ORC
Ph 0800 474082 or 0274 933960
Email: gavin.palmer@orc.govt.nz

ORC communications contact

Mark Peart
Team Leader Communications – Channels
Ph 0800 474082 or 027 5312620
Email: mark.peart@orc.govt.nz