Dunedin April Severe Weather update #5

10.10pm, Wednesday, 12 April 2017

The Dunedin City Council will continue to closely monitor the heavy rain situation overnight, but at this stage is not anticipating any major issues to arise.

The latest MetService severe weather warning predicts rain to ease Thursday morning. In the 16 hours from 8pm today to midday Thursday, a further 50 to 60mm is forecast to accumulate on top of what has already fallen (about 52mm to 9pm) . Maximum rainfall rates are expected to be 15mm per hour. A further period of heavy rain is likely Friday afternoon.

DCC Civil Defence Controller Ruth Stokes says the Emergency Operations Centre will remain open overnight to monitor the situation, but at this stage is not anticipating any major issues.

The DCC has to date not actively evacuated any residents, and there have so far been no reports of flooded properties.

Provisions for emergency accommodation are in place should the need arise. Anyone affected by flooding who needs emergency accommodation, or anyone with any other flood related queries, should call the DCC on 03 477 4000.

As a precaution, the DCC has established three information centres throughout the city which can also potentially be used as welfare centres if the need develops. The centres are located at:

· South Dunedin – Caledonian Gymnasium, 265 Andersons Bay Road

· North Dunedin – George Street Normal School hall, 989 George Street

· Mosgiel – Mosgiel Memorial Park Gymnasium, Gordon Road

Sandbags

There has been a steady demand for sandbags this evening. Sand and bags will remain available at the four pick-up points listed below throughout the night. The pick-up points will not be manned unless the situation deteriorates. The pick-up points are:

· North Dunedin – Opoho sportsground car park (Warden Street) beside the tennis court

· South Dunedin – carpark behind St Clair Tennis Club, Victoria Road

· Mosgiel – Memorial Park car park beside the stadium/Mosgiel Memorial Gymnasium

· Ocean Grove – Tomahawk Lagoon Outlet (on the right hand side of Tomahawk Road)

Please bring a shovel with you to assist in maintaining the sandbag supply.

River levels

Flood management staff from Otago Regional Council are actively monitoring Dunedin rivers, in particular The Water of Leith, Lindsay Creek and Silver Stream. They will have staff on the ground throughout the night to visually monitor the rivers, and will also closely monitor live flow data, which is also available to the public at http://water.orc.govt.nz/WaterInfo

For the Silver Stream and Lindsay Creek the estimated peak flow is just at the threshold of overtopping of the Gordon Road spillway and of the left bank just upstream of the Palmers Quarry Bridge respectively.

The estimated flow in the Water of Leith should be contained in the channel.

Roading & stormwater

Roading crews will be working throughout the night.

Highcliff Road, from Camp Road to just above Portobello Road, was closed at 6pm due to safety reasons and will remain closed overnight. Emergency access for Sandymount Road residents is via Hoopers Inlet and emergency access for Seal Point Road Residents is via Pukehiki.

Drive to the conditions. Please do not drive on flooded roads as the vehicle wash can increase flooding on private properties.

A full list of road closures and conditions is available online at www.dunedin.govt.nz/road-conditions.

The stormwater system continues to work well, screens are clear and all pumps are available.

Sportgrounds/Freedom camping sites closed

All DCC sportsgrounds are currently closed. Due to the weather all freedom camping area sites are closed until further notice. Campers are advised to find alternative an accommodation site tonight.

General preparedness

We are advising people to be prepared. Things you can do include:

· If your basement is prone to flooding lift items that could be damaged by water off the floor. Be sure garden sprays and other chemicals won’t be affected.

· Check grates near your house for blockages and keep them clear of leaves and other debris to avoid water building up and affecting your property.

For the public to keep up to date with what is happening and for advice about what to do if the rain gets worse, please see the DCC website, DCC social media, listen to the radio and use other media.

Please refer family, friends and neighbours to these communication channels.

www.dunedin.govt.nz

www.facebook.com/DunedinCityCouncil

https://twitter.com/DnCityCouncil

ENDS

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