Otago flood update #1 from Emergency Management Otago

1pm 1 February 2018

Emergency Management Otago is monitoring the impact of steady rain across the region.

Group Controller Chris Hawker says that most attention is focused on Dunedin, and also on the slopes of Mt Alpha in Wanaka, where there is potential for sediment run-off from slopes stripped of vegetation by last month’s fire.

The emergency coordination centre has been activated to monitor and support local civil defence activities across Otago.

MetService has renewed its warning for heavy rain through until midnight tonight, forecasting a further 80 to 150mm of rain to accumulate - possibly even more in the west - but 50 to 80mm about North Otago.

Otago Regional Council’s flood management team are modelling the impact of the rain. They are not predicting significant overtopping of rivers and other waterways across the region, based on the current rainfall projections, but are watching river levels closely.

On current projections, waterways in West Otago and Queenstown Lakes are rising and expected to peak in the next few hours. Central Otago rivers are also rising and expected to peak later this afternoon. In the Dunedin area, the Water of Leith and Lindsay Creek will rise rapidly but are not expected to break their banks. The Silver Stream spillway is not expected to operate.

In South Otago, the Pomahaka River is not expected to overtop, nor is the Taieri River at Henley.

In Dunedin, the City Council has opened its emergency operations centre and is dealing with minor surface flooding and preparing for the impacts of more intense rain this afternoon.

Sandbags are available in South Dunedin from the carpark behind the St Clair Tennis Club and in Mosgiel from the Memorial Park carpark.

Motorists are being cautioned to watch for surface flooding around the region. SH8 from Roxburgh to Raes Junction has surface flooding in several places but is passable with care.

Queenstown Lakes District reports significant flooding on Mt Aspiring Road outside Wanaka between Mt Roy carpark and Ruby Island, and the road may be closed this afternoon. Several roads at the head of Lake Wakatipu are also closed.

Central Otago District Council is warning of fallen trees in the Maniototo, as well as surface flooding on roads across the district.

ENDS

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