Flooding sparks warning to stay off roads

Dunedin residents are urged to stay off the roads where possible because of significant flooding in the city and the Taieri Plain.

Dunedin City Council Civil Defence Controller Sandy Graham said there was widespread surface flooding around the city and people should avoid non-essential travel.

‘‘Not all flooding is signposted. If you need to drive, please reduce your speed through flooded areas so water isn’t pushed into properties.’’

Henley residents were door-knocked by police and advised to evacuate as rain continued to fall.

Residents are also urged to cut back on showers and use of washing machines to ease pressure on wastewater systems amid widespread surface flooding in the city, and sandbags are being made available.

Continued rain is putting pressure on wastewater pipes and pumping stations around the waterlogged city.

The Dunedin Emergency Operations Centre opened yesterday afternoon so the council and Civil Defence can monitor and co-ordinate the situation.

Three streets in Middlemarch were earlier closed because of surging from the wastewater network. A pump was being used to provide extra capacity while the area was hit by heavy rain.

The NZ Transport Agency says SH 90 between Tapanui and Raes Junction is closed because of a washout and road users are advised to consider an alternative route. State Highway 8 between Millers Flat and Lake Roxburgh Village in Central Otago is also closed because of flooding.

Otago Regional Council opened the Riverside spillway gates on the Taieri River at Outram to divert water into a ponding area that is part of the lower Taieri Flood Protection Scheme. This will reduce the effects of flooding on properties further down the river.

Director of science, hazards and engineering, Dr Gavin Palmer, said river levels continue to be monitored around Otago.

Metservice meteorologist Lisa Murray said snow in Otago was easing off by the afternoon, but the Canterbury high country was still in for snow above 800m.