Council deploys temporary pump operations ahead of forecast wet weather

Christchurch City Council is installing flood mitigation pump operations in the Flockton/Dudley Creek area. This is ahead of a weather forecast that shows a period of extended rainfall throughout Christchurch and Banks Peninsula, starting Sunday and continuing through to Tuesday.

At this stage up to 75 millimetres has been forecast.

Mayor Lianne Dalziel says, "We put the Mayoral Flood Taskforce in place for exactly this purpose. If the expected weather arrives in the coming days, these measures will reduce the flood risk to our residents living in the flood vulnerable areas of Christchurch.

"Council and City Care staff have been out on site in the Flockton area today coordinating work and will be speaking to the local residents about the operations.

"Even if the expected forecast does not arrive, this will be a good test of the Taskforce's flood mitigation deployment plans", she says.

Council contractors have been onsite since this afternoon installing a backflow defence measures and temporary pump operations in the below locations:

* Flockton Drain: At Warrington Street.
Contractors have set-up a backflow defence for the where the Flockton Drain and Dudley Creek meet, and will be able to over pump flood waters from the Flockton Drain into Dudley Creek.

* Dudley Creek: At Chancellor and Guild street.
Contractors are installing temporary pumps to bypass the Chancellor and Guild street culverts.

By establishing the backflow prevention these measures will be able to focus pumping relief for the Flockton residents and in a lower rainfall event will provide risk reduction for street flooding.

Staff will be closely monitoring water levels in Dudley Creek throughout the operations to ensure flood waters are managed and are not a risk to other areas.

The Council's Land Drainage staff and contractors are working across Christchurch and Banks Peninsula to ensure that the vulnerable areas are being closely monitored throughout the weekend and early next week.

The Council advises residents in low-lying areas to take appropriate steps to protect their property.

High tides over the weekend are due around 2pm and 2am and are expected to be relatively low and, therefore, not expected to be an issue.

Traffic updates:
For up-to-date traffic information throughout Christchurch city and Banks Peninsula, please visit the Transport for Christchurch website at www.transportforchristchurch.govt.nz

For further information on flood mitigation work, residents can call the Council's Customer Call Centre on (03) 941 8999 or 0800 800 169 or visit the Council's website at www.ccc.govt.nz/floodmitigation

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