Otago Regional Council’s Director of Environmental Monitoring and Operations, Scott MacLean, said that the priority was to keep river channels and floodways clear for heavy flows.

MetService is predicting up to 200mm of rain to fall in Eastern Otago including Dunedin tomorrow and overnight into Saturday. The rain is forecast to fall as snow above 600m tomorrow night.

ORC is continuing to model the impact that this intensity of rainfall will have on rivers in coastal areas and in Dunedin. Mr MacLean reiterated earlier warnings that people in low-lying areas, including South Dunedin, should expect surface flooding.

ORC will be issuing regular updates on its website, Facebook and Twitter accounts and via the media as this event progresses. “People can check river levels and rainfall for themselves on our WaterInfo page at any time,” Mr MacLean said.

Emergency Management Otago staff are also on standby to support the Dunedin City and Waitaki District Councils over the next 48 hours.

ENDS

The next update will be issued around 10.30am tomorrow

Media contact: Michele Poole, duty Public Information Manager, 0278398306
Otago Regional Council river and rainfall information: www.orc.govt.nz/waterinfo
Otago Regional Council website: www.orc.govt.nz
Emergency Management Otago website: www.otagocdem.govt.nz
ORC Facebook: www.facebook.com/OtagoRegionalCouncil
ORC Twitter: @OtagoRC
Emergency Management Otago Facebook: www.facebook.com/OtagoCDEM