By Otago Daily Times' Timothy Brown and Christchurch Star
Residents of 143 houses still cannot return home after the storm that buffeted Dunedin and eastern Otago during the weekend.
Dozens of homes may be uninhabitable, but they are still being assessed, authorities say.
The state of emergency was lifted this morning, but Emergency Management Otago said people evacuated last night from Harington Point Rd still cannot go home.
Recovery manager Simon Pickford warned people to treat all flood water as contaminated after reports of sewage in the water.
Four houses have been served with dangerous building notices.
Residents needed to take all precautions and remain away from flooded properties.
"There will be frustration," he said. "People want to get back to their homes. They want to get back to their businesses. They want to get back to normal. That may take days.
"It's devastation. It's a significant event for the city and the Taieri in particular."
Insurers confirmed to the Otago Daily Times that hundreds of claims had already been lodged relating to the weekend's weather.
However, it would be some time before the damage to the city's infrastructure, homes and businesses could be estimated.
Dunedin City Council general manager of strategy and governance Sandy Graham said she had "initial discussions" with the Insurance Council, but it was too early to estimate costs.
"Until we have had an opportunity to get out in those areas to gauge what the damage was we won't have any further [information]," she said.
More rain predicted for the area was being monitored, but was not expected to cause issues for authorities or residents.
"It will fall in different areas," Graham said.
"We don't think it will impact us other than having a bit of rain."
This morning council officials closely monitered high tide ahead of any move to lift the state of emergency.
High tides at the weekend added to the flooding woes of many living near the city's waterways.
Last night's high tide passed with no reports of flooding into houses and no further flooding on roads. This morning all eyes were on the impact of the tide at 6.03am.
Meanwhile health authorities warn people whose homes have been flooded should not return to their properties because of the health risk.
Medical officer of health Alistair Humphrey said there were "significant health and safety risks" associated with badly flooded properties, because of wastewater intermingling with flood waters.
The wastewater system has struggled to copy with the flooding - a legacy from the earthquakes - allowing flood waters to mix with sewage and wastewater.
He said that anyone who has not left and was flooded above floor level, should leave as soon as possible.
The city council said 57 properties were identified as being flooded.
Persistent rain and high tides delivered a double king-hit for those near the Heathcote river on the weekend.
Many residents near the Heathcote were evacuated, assisted by jetskis and rescue boats on Saturday.
"I strongly advise anyone still living in a property that has been flooded above floor level to stay out of the property until it has been properly checked and deemed safe to live in. Anyone already experiencing health problems should contact their GP for advice," said Humphrey.
Humphrey said wiring and appliances should be checked by a qualified electrician before people move back home.
Carpets, soft furnishing are a hazard because of sewage contamination, he said.
"Contact your insurer about flood-damaged items before disposing of them. Mould is likely to get worse until a house has been properly treated, so it is important people stay out of their house to avoid respiratory problems until the mould is treated and the house dried out properly," he said.
The state of emergency for the city will remain in place, as civil defence wait for the next high tide at 5.08pm on Monday.
"It is anticipated there will be some further flooding in areas previously affected. By the time any impact is known it will be night time," said a city council spokeswoman.
The weather has played ball though, as the clean-up continues.
MetService meteorologist Tom Adams said the weather would stay mainly fine until Thursday, after the odd sprinkling of rain on Monday.
"There will be heaps of rain in the west with the odd bit coming across," he said.
Less than 1mm of rain is expected, he said.
Roads are slowly reopening, although some are resident-access only.
But the city council warns that although river levels are dropping, tides will continue to have an effect.
Other authorities across the South Island have lifted the state of emergency, but the city council will keep it in place and the threat of further flooding remains. It will not be reviewed until Tuesday at the earliest.
"Another high water level is predicted late this afternoon. This may cause isolated flooding in some areas and roads previously affected," said a city council spokeswoman.
The Christchurch Transport Operations Centre said "quite significant" potholes were appearing on roads because of the amount of water.
It warned that homes affected by flood waters will likely have contaminated surfaces, and people should not move back into a damp house particularly if they have young children and babies.
People should wash hands thoroughly and use household bleaches to clean surfaces.
Residents in Christchurch and Banks Peninsula no longer need to limit use of water, except those in Duvauchelle. The restrictions were introduced because of the wastewater pouring into the flood waters as systems struggled to keep up.
Road closures:
• Avonside Dr - from Torlesse Rd to Wainoni Rd - Resident access only
• Avonside Dr - from Woodham Rd to Retreat Rd
• Avonside Dr - from Gayhurst Rd to Wainoni Rd
• Aynsley Tce - from Centaurus Rd to Opawa Rd - Resident access only
• Centaurus Rd - from Whaka Tce to Gamblins Rd - Resident access only
• Clarendon Tce - Opawa Rd to Radley St - now open
• Connal St - From Garlands Rd to Barton St
• Cumnor Tce - from Garlands Rd to Marshall St - Resident access only
• Eastern Tce - from Birdwood Ave to Waltham Rd - now open
• Fifield Tce - From Wilsons Rd (cul de sac) - now open
• Ford Rd - Opawa Rd to Louisson Pl - now open
• Gilbert Pl - whole street - Resident access only
• Hendersons Rd - from Sparks Rd to Cashmere Rd - Resident access only
• Hunter Tce - from Malcolm Ave to Colombo St - now open
• New Brighton Rd - from Kingsford St to Lake Terrace Rd
• New Brighton Rd - from Rawson St to Pages Rd
• Norwood St - at Sandwich Rd intersection- Resident access only
• Opawa Rd - from Ensors Rd to Clarendon Tce
• Opawa Rd - from Clarendon Tce to Brougham St - Resident access only
• Palatine Tce - from Burnbrae to Buxton Tce - now open
• Retreat Rd - from Avonside Dr to Gayhurst Rd
• Richardson Tce - From Opawa Rd to Wildberry St - Resident access only
• Riverlaw Tce - Ensors Road to no exit at end of road - now open
• Riverlaw Tce - from Burnbrae St to Willsons Rd - now open
• Summit Rd - from Dyers Pass Rd to Gebbies Pass
• Waimea Tce - from Colombo St to Birdwood Ave - now open
- Otago Daily Times, Christchurch Star
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