A community board member has criticised the "pathetic" response to a flash flood in Mosgiel that caused thousands of dollars worth of damage to shops on Saturday.
However, Dunedin City Council staff said problems with stormwater pipes in the area were well known and plans were already being drawn up to fix them.
Water poured in to about a dozen shops after a downpour about 1.30pm.
Shopowners used brooms to sweep back the water which entered some businesses, damaging carpet and displays. Sandbags hastily deployed by Mitre 10 staff limited the damage.
Mosgiel Taieri Community Board member Martin Dillon said Mosgiel was lucky it had Mitre 10 staff and their public spirit because it was let down by the Dunedin City Council's contractor Fulton Hogan.