Streets flooding in South Dunedin. Photo: RNZ / Nathan Mckinnon
With red heavy rain warning is currently in place for North Otago, Dunedin and coastal Clutha until 9pm Friday, here's the key advice from the authorities about the situation.
What's happening?
MetService meteorologist John Law said it was the first red warning issued for Otago since MetService started the system in 2019.
Between 120 and 150mm of rain is expected - more than double the normal October rainfall in Dunedin.
There could be a threat to life from dangerous river conditions, significant flooding and slips, MetService warned.
What the authorities are saying
Otago Civil Defence and Emergency Management have warned to keep away from low lying flood prone areas, not to drive through any flood water, act quickly to self-evacuate if you see rising water and be ready for power and communications outages.
The New Zealand Transport Agency have also advised to avoid all non-essential travel, and if you must travel, to be prepared for unexpected hazards when driving in these conditions.
Motorists are advised to check the Transport Agency's Journey Planner.
The roads surrounding Kelso in the Clutha district will close at 8pm, with road closed signs to be put up on Ardmore Road, Greenvale Road, Winslade Road, Wooded Hill Road, Swamp Road and Paradise Flat Road, and barriers on Ardmore Road, Greenvale Road and Wooded Hill Road to be shut.
There will be detours via Cross Road to the south and Black Gully Road to the north.
Titri Road is also closed.
Surface flooding is affecting Clutha Valley Road at Pillans Road, and roads around the Tapanui area as the Pomahaka River in South Otago continues to rise. It is possible that the Pomahaka rising will also affect State Highway 90 and may cause surface flooding between Tapanui and Waikoikoi.
The Otago Regional Council said people should be particularly wary rising waters of the Silverstream at Gordon Road, on the edge of Mosgiel township; Balclutha, and the Pomahaka and coastal communities around the Tokomairiro area.
Six Otago Regional Council river monitoring stations are currently in flood warning alert, Otago Civil Defence and Emergency Management group manager Matt Alley said.
These are:
- Pomahaka River at Burkes Ford estimated to reach 450 cumecs at midnight;
- The Clutha River at Balclutha expected to peak at 1900-2000 cumecs at midnight.
- Silverstream, including Mosgiel, estimated to reach 120 cumecs. There may be a spillover at the Gordon Road bridge around midnight tonight. The station is called Silverstream at Gordon Rd.
- Mill Creek pump station (Lower Taieri) - extensive monitoring of this pump station will be done to ensure this functions as it should.
- Leith and Lindsay Streams (including Dunedin) to peak around midnight tonight at 15 cumecs for Lindsay and 45 cumecs for Leith.
Alley encouraged people to ensure their household plan, emergency supplies and getaway kits were prepared.
Residents in Dunedin are being encouraged to head for home as soon as possible, and to stay home once there unless necessary, as the heavy rainfall continues.
Civil Defence controller Rob West said driving conditions were already challenging in some areas, particularly on parts of Otago Peninsula, and people should avoid all non-essential travel tonight.
"There are significant areas of surface flooding on Peninsula Road and around Hoopers and Papanui inlets, so we're encouraging everyone to drive to the conditions, get home before dark and stay home once they get there, if possible."
One slip has been reported at Papanui Inlet in the vicinity of Cape Saunders Road, and motorists in the area are being advised to exercise caution.
"We all need to take care and drive to the conditions."
Central Otago District Council have issued a conserve water notice for Ranfurly, Naseby and Patearoa, as well as a boil water notice for Omakau/Ophir.
It said drinking water tankers were available at the Omakau Domain and on Swindon Street in Ophir.
The Dunedin City Council have sandbags available for community use, which can be collected from the Dunedin Ice Stadium, the Memorial Park carpark in Mosgiel, and the Middlemarch Showgrounds.
The Otago Regional Council have also advised to move livestock or horses in paddocks near waterways that have the potential to flood to higher ground.
"Stock should be moved to areas which will be easily accessible in case they need assistance, supplementary feed, or veterinary treatment."
More information about preparing animals for emergencies can be found here.
And more information about what to do before, during, and after a flood can be found here.
