Flooding worsens in Otago

Chyrel Walsh wades to the front gate of her home in Oamaru this morning. Picture / Oamaru Mail

Several rivers in Otago have breached flood warning levels and are still rising rapidly as heavy rain continues to douse the region.

The North Otago town of Oamaru was isolated this morning with Fire Service personnel busy pumping out flooded houses and commercial buildings. Roads and schools in the town were closed.

In Mosgiel, 16km southwest of Dunedin, police were evacuating residents from the Bush Rd/Carlyle Rd area due to the flooding of Silver Stream.

Residents were assembling at the Holy Cross College.

Oamaru Civil Defence manager Eric Spittal said residents were bracing themselves for the flooding to worsen, with up to 150mm of rain expected to have fallen by about midday, and more rain forecast.

"We're expecting more rain, but that hasn't eventuated yet, so we've got a wee hiatus where we can collect our wits and try to make the best of the situation while we have a chance," Mr Spittal told NewstalkZB.

While the steady torrent of rain over the past few days had caused damage, it was much needed in a region that had been suffering drought.

Oamaru Fire Service spokesman Gary Gibson said water levels were nearly a metre high in some basements and the flooding was as severe as many locals had seen it.

Flooding had been aggravated by leaves and debris blocking drains.

Waitaki District Council emergency services chairman Max Moore said Oamaru was completely isolated by mid-morning with all main highways closed because of flooding.

State Highway 83 at Omarama in Central Otago was closed about 8.20am and SH95 was closed at Palmerston, between Dunedin and Oamaru, soon afterwards. SH1 between Oamaru and Palmerston had been closed at Waitati, north of Dunedin, but was reopened about mid-morning with a warning for motorists to exercise extreme caution.

Otago Regional Council figures showed that up to 200mm of rain had fallen across the eastern Otago region from Balclutha to Oamaru since yesterday.

Council resource science manager Matt Hickey said the rain had been particularly intense in Nortgh Otago and on the lower Tairei Plain south of Dunedin.

Rivers were still rising rapidly and flows were being monitored closely.

"River flows across the region had been low after months of dry conditions, but these recent falls have pushed several rivers over flood warning levels," Mr Hickey said.

- NZPA