Otago’s councils are responding to a significant winter weather storm that has caused flooding, road closures and rural impacts.

Waitaki District Council has declared a local state of emergency after a localised downpour flooded homes and shops in Ōamaru. The town received 34 mm of rain in two hours between about midnight and 2am this morning. Emergency services have spent the night responding to more than 50 calls for assistance.

Waitaki’s Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) was activated at around 2am this morning. About a dozen residents and 4 dogs have been sheltering at the Community-led Evacuation Centre at the Network Waitaki Event Centre. The rainfall is continuing to fall but expected to ease during the day and emergency staff continue to monitor conditions closely.

In Dunedin, up to 160mm of rain fell in parts of the city, causing surface flooding and many dozen road closures around the city and Taieri Plain. Dunedin city council crews and contractors are active clearing roads and stormwater systems. The council is urging people to stay safe and avoid travel unless necessary. Some bus routes have been affected.

In Clutha district, the heavy rain yesterday caused surface flooding and closed some roads. Motorists are urged to drive to the conditions and take care in areas of surface flooding.

Significant snow and ice throughout Central Otago and inland areas means a number of state highways are closed. Road access between Ranfurly and Alexandra, Outram and Middlemarch is being reestablished.
Most rivers in the region have peaked, however rivers in North Otago could rise further throughout the day. Otago Regional Council staff continue to monitor all rivers.

Residents are urged to:

• Stay home in affected areas unless travel is absolutely necessary. 
• Never drive through floodwater. 
• Watch for slips, debris and damaged road surfaces. 
• Check the NZTA website for state highway closures, the Waitaki District Council and Dunedin City Council websites for local road closures.

Links:

• Buses schedules are impacted in some areas. Check the Orbus website Orbus 
• Waitaki District Council www.waitaki.govt.nz
• Dunedin City council www.dcc.govt.nz
• Clutha District Council www.cluthadc.govt.nz
• Central Otago District Council www.codc.govt.nz
• Otago Civil Defence and Emergency Management www.otagocdem.govt.nz
• Rural support trust www.rural-support.org.nz
• For updates on state highway conditions please visit Highway conditions for Otago