More heavy rain that has flooded parts of Dunedin is forecast overnight, with the council warning the situation could get worse before it gets better.
A civil defence response has been activated after heavy rain battered the city today, causing widespread flooding including sewage on the streets.
Dunedin City Council civil defence manager Neil Brown said in the 24 hours up to about 3pm, about 90mm to 95mm of rain had fallen in the Dunedin area.
Flooding in South Dunedin. Photo / Otago Daily Times
"To put that into perspective, overnight we may get another between 80mm and 100mm, according to the forecast. So really we are about halfway in terms of the volume we have experienced over the city.''
A Dunedin City Council spokesman said emergency services were now working together out of the civil defence bunker in central Dunedin to co-ordinate their response to multiple flooding events across the city, and as the city prepared for high tide at 4.30pm.
South Dunedin, Kaikorai Valley and parts of Mosgiel, the Brighton Coast and the Taieri Plain had been hardest hit by heavy rain and flooding, with businesses sandbagged and children sent home from school. North Rd is also flooded, and the Otago Daily Times understands the Defence Force has been asked for help.
Elderly residents at Radius Fulton in Dunedin were being evacuated this afternoon following substantial flooding to the rest home on Hillside Rd and the Caversham region.
Managing diretor Brien Cree said the main focus was the safety and wellbeing of residents and staff. Local DHB, civil defence, emergency services and family members are helping to move residents to safer premises.
Power is to be cut to consumers in East Taieri in the interests of public safety, lines company Aurora Energy said late this afternoon.
Due to surface flooding, it would disconnect electricity supply to the Woodland Avenue, Kinmont Crescent, Boundary Road and Heathfield Drive until water subsides and power can be safely restored. Surface flooding is submerging ground-mounted electrical equipment.
To urgently isolate the affected streets, the company said it would temporarily disconnect one feeders supplying East Taieri, causing a short interruption to power for 517 consumers while we complete switching, after which power will be restored.
Flooding in Forbury in South Dunedin. Photo / Otago Daily Times
Roads closed
As of 4pm, nine roads around the wider Dunedin area are closed. Check the latest road closures here
Traffic lights are out at the interesection of Cumberland and St Andrew Sts due to weather, and motorists are advised to proceed with caution.
The NZTA has urged people who do not have to travel today to stay put, with flooding continuing to worsen on many local roads and highways in and around Dunedin. It also asked people to avoid travelling on the Southern Motorway between Mosgiel and the central city.
The DCC says the public should avoid walking through floodwaters which may have been contaminated but the water supply is safe to drink.
DCC Manager Civil Defence Neil Brown said while Civil Defence has been activated to monitor and co-ordinate, at this stage there was no suggestion a state of emergency would need to be declared.
Army resources, such as trucks that could move through deep water, had the potential to be helpful and a deployment could be sent down from Burnham Military Camp, just south of Christchurch, if needed.He advised people to stay aware of the environment around them and to plan accordingly.
No evacuation centres had been set-up and people forced to evacuate and people were advised to stay with friends and family.
"If for some reason they have to leave and can't make arrangements then they can call for assistance through one of the emergency services.''
Inspector Mel Aitken, of Dunedin, said police were concerned about people driving to the worst-affected areas to rubberneck.
The swollen river Leith, passing through Otago University. Photo / Otago Daily Times
"Our advice is if you don't have to go out, don't venture out. It's hard enough on the services to try and deal with what we are dealing with let alone having people go out there to take a look at what is happening.''
Police advised people to check up on vulnerable friends and family.
According to Otago Regional Council data, more than 60mm of rain had fallen at Pine Hill in the 24 hours to 12.40pm today and the rain is not expected to ease any time soon.
DCC Roading Maintenance Engineer Peter Standring said the city's stormwater system was at capacity and the roading network under pressure.
Foul sewer contamination had forced the closure of the Hargest Crescent area. This could become an issue for other areas.
Some residents had to find alternative transport to get home. Photo / Supplied by Chris Ferguson
Mr Standring said the high tide, expected to peak at 4.30pm, had the potential to cause more flooding of stormwater drains in low-lying areas.
The last major rain event was in May 2013, but this was a more significant.
DCC Water and Waste Network Contracts Manager Mike Ind said stormwater and foul sewers in the Hillside Road/Surrey Street areas were at capacity at 10.30am today.
The Fire Service was pumping water from the Fulton Home property on Hillside Rd. DCC staff and Civil Defence have helped with the provision of additional flood barriers.
Mr Standring said the severe weather warning for Dunedin remains. One of the major upcoming concerns was high tide, due late afternoon, which may have an impact on the water draining away.
The Silverstream at Gordon Rd is rising rapidly. At 1.45pm, it was flowing at 58 cumecs. Its flood level is 65cumecs.
The Kaikorai Stream is running at full capacity and Kaikorai Valley Rd, south of the Stone St roundabout, is flooded.
The council's key messages for the public are: •Where possible, avoid driving or walking through floodwaters, particularly those that may be contaminated with wastewater •If you do have to drive, please drive carefully and be prepared for widespread surface flooding •There are going to be a lot of motorists on the road trying to get home, so we ask drivers to be patient and allow plenty of time for travel •Check on your neighbours, especially if they are elderly or have young children •The water supply is safe to drink •Check state highway conditions
Flooding from Blackjack Creek, about 2km south of Roxburgh, has closed State Highway 8 between Roxburgh and Millers Flat. A detour is available on Roxburgh East Rd and Teviot Rd.
Rivers rising
Heavy rain is causing rivers and streams in North Otago, Dunedin, South Otago and the Upper Taieri to rise.
Approximately 80mm has fallen in the headwaters of the Water of Leith (at Sullivan's Dam), and the Silver Stream (Swampy Spur), the Otago Regional Council said.
Silver Stream is expected to continue to rise and to flow over the Gordon Road spillway. The spillway is part of the Lower Taieri Flood Protection Scheme and reduces the flood risk for land to the south of the Silver Stream, including parts of Mosgiel.
Properties on the Taieri Plain between the Silver Stream and Dukes Road are affected by overland flow from the Silver Stream when this happens.
Mosgiel is not expected to be affected by the high flows in the Silver Stream, the regional council said.
The Water of Leith and Lindsay Creek are also rising rapidly, and water from Lindsay Creek is flowing down part of North Road in North East Valley. Staff are monitoring the Water of Leith.
Southern DHB operations
The Southern District Health Board has set up an emergency operations centre in response the flooding.
The centre is working to ensure that staff are able to come into work and return home and the four-wheel-drive club will be available. Staff who have any issues getting to work or who have difficulties getting home should contact 4709910 ext 9910.
Southern DHB is assisting a number of age residential care facilities in the city who are at risk of flooding and are trying to identify placement beds if required.
There is some flooding in the Lower Ground loading dock of Dunedin Hospital today, due to a city main being blocked. Council workers are assessing the site.
There are leaks in various buildings of the Dunedin Hospital campus which are being repaired as soon as possible. This number of leaks are consistent with this amount of rain, and all critical areas are functioning well.
Clutha District
The Clutha District Council has warned of widespread surface flooding affecting "numerous" roads.
Council staff and contractors are currently out working to identify road closures.
So far they include: •Lakeside Road at the railway underbridge •Akatore Road at Big Creek •Papatowai Highway at Caberfeidh Hill •Karoro Creek •Mt Wallace Road •Back Road •Springfield Road •Allison Road •Remote Road
Motorists are advised to drive with caution, to the conditions and to consider making plans to travel home before dark tonight.
Please remember to also check road conditions tomorrow morning before travelling as the overnight rain may have increased the flooding.
