Storm prompts warning of caution from Rotorua District Council

5.38pm 23.01.11: The heavy rain and squalls which hit Rotorua on Friday evening and throughout the weekend are expected to continue into Monday prompting a warning from Rotorua District Council for residents to take extreme care. Rotorua has recorded 200mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours.

RDC utilities operations manager Eric Cawte said there had been some relatively minor overflows of wastewater at the city wastewater treatment plant and at some sewer pump stations this afternoon as a result of stormwater infiltration. But at present sewer flows were all under control and were being closely monitored.

“There is the possibility of contamination of some of our waterways so as a safety and health precaution we are recommending people stay well away from swollen streams and rivers. We certainly urge people in the meantime not to swim or take fish from our waterways, or from areas where streams and rivers enter the lakes.”

Mr Cawte said there had been a number of instances of short term surface flooding on roads around the district this morning but these had reduced this afternoon as a result of decreased rain intensity. A number of minor slips had also been reported and these were being attended to on an ongoing basis.

He said more flooding on roads and around rivers and steams remained a real possibility if heavy rain reappeared over the next 12 to 24 hours.

“People are being advised to stay off the roads if they can, and if they do need to travel to be well aware that flash flooding can occur at any time in any place.

“The wind has also come up this afternoon and there is now an increased risk of trees and branches being brought down, so again we urge people to be very, very careful on the roads if they do have to venture out.”

Council staff and contractors have been fully mobilised over the weekend and have attended to incidents and been checking utilities throughout last night and today. However there had been no major problems reported to date. Council staff were expected to remain on duty to deal with problems when and if they occur, until the current weather situation improved.

The council also activated its Rotorua Emergency Operations Centre this morning for monitoring purposes and the centre would be continuing to monitor conditions throughout the night and into the morning.

Mr Cawte said he was hopeful that Rotorua would get through the current weather bomb without too many major problems, especially if people continued to be sensible about the real risks that existed with the current stormy weather.

He recommended residents keep a constant watch on weather forecasts as these were being updated on a regular basis, and to remain alert to the potential for more problems until the storm had dissipated.

ENDS

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