Otago CDEM group
22 July 2017
Aerial surveys of flooding in coastal Otago are underway.
There is widespread flooding and disruption across Waitaki, Dunedin and Clutha, as well as flooding and snow in parts of Central Otago.
The second largest flood on record is impacting communities in the Taieri River catchment. The peak flows are moving downstream and predicted to coincide with high tide at Taieri Mouth. Flood managers from the Otago Regional Council are modelling the impact that will have on approximately 100 homes in the area. Clutha District Civil Defence staff have alerted residents.
The Lindsay Creek in Dunedin is also being closely monitored due to its proximity to the Otago Hospice.
Overall, about 220 homes were evacuated overnight across the region from Oamaru to Milton and inland to the Ida Valley. Around 100 of those are in Outram near Dunedin airport.
There is still widespread disruption to roads and highways across Otago. The Otago Peninsula is isolated by slips. Another slip occurred this morning in Ravenswood Road, in the Dunedin suburb of St Clair, and Police have evacuated three homes in the area as a precaution.
Rain is still falling steadily in most places with MetService predicting another 30-50mm could fall in North Otago today. Group Controller Scott MacLean said that at one Dunedin site, 225mm of rain fell in less than 24 hours, compared to the average rainfall of 45-50mm for the whole of July. Heavy snow is also now predicted for inland Otago later today.
There are power outages in Berwick, Henley, Leith Valley, Mt Cargill, Swampy Summit, Maori Hill and Woodhaugh. Delta has crews out assessing the damage.
The Minister of Civil Defence, Nathan Guy, is scheduled to visit Dunedin later this morning and will join Group Controller Chris Hawker and Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull on an aerial inspection of flooded areas.
ENDS
The next update is due by noon.
Media contact for Otago CDEM Group – Michele Poole, Duty Public Information Manager, 0278398306
