Christchurch Latest weather update - 6.45pm

Heathcote River
While the high tide has now passed, we are still seeing significant flooding in the Heathcote river. Water levels are still rising in some places, and the next high tide will be 3.42am tomorrow.

With this in mind, and for safety reasons now that it is dark, we are recommending that people who have not yet evacuatedremain in their homes, and those that have evacuated do not try to return overnight.

Advice provided from Community and Public Health is that houses that have flooded are likely to be contaminated. If you come into contact with flood water, please make sure you wash your hands thoroughly.

The Linwood Civil Defence Centre for welfare assistance at Linwood High School will be closing at 8pm this evening. We are providing accommodation for two people overnight. If needed, it will reopen tomorrow.

Response Teams will be on standby overnight in case any evacuations are needed. Please call the Council Call Centre on 0800 800 169 if you are concerned about your safety or want help to evacuate.,

Road
More road closures are possible as we are starting to experience slips. Please check Newsline for the latest road closures:www.ccc.govt.nz/newsline

People are being urged to stay well away from roads in flooded areas. If it is essential for you to travel through water on the road, please drive carefully and slowly. Surges from cars into properties is a real concern.


Water and wastewater
At this stage, the Christchurch water supply is safe to drink. In Banks Peninsula communities, security of supply is being maintained by tankers where no bore supply is available.

Several wastewater pump stations have been flooded and are not keeping up with the inflow so wastewater is overflowing into streets. Please limit water use that produces wastewaster like flushing, washing and showering until the rain has stopped for a few hours. Please keep water use to a minimum. This applies to everyone in Christchurch and Banks Peninsula.

Multi agency response
Multiple agencies are now responding, with the Council working closely alongside Civil Defence, the New Zealand Defence Force, New Zealand Police, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, St John, Canterbury District Health Board, Ngai Tahu, the Red Cross, Ministry for Civil Defence and Emergency Management, Canterbury Civil Defence Group and civil defence response and welfare volunteers.

The police will be patrolling areas where people have evacuated.

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