Cleanup in flood’s wake
A HEAVY pall of drizzle and mist cloaked Dunedin last night but the worst of the flooding appeared to be over.
Flooding throughout Otago continued to slowly recede yesterday after Tuesday’s deluge.
A forecast of more heavy rain in the afternoon did not eventuate. However, the Clutha River hit its highest level since 1999 and dozens of roads remain closed in the region.
Access to Henley, south of Dunedin, remained cut off.
The Dunedin City Council said most Henley residents decided to stay put through the event and there were no welfare concerns.
Authorities across the South turned their attention to the cleanup.
Queenstown Lakes, Waitaki and Southland all experienced relatively quiet days after Tuesday’s heavy rainfall and extensive surface flooding disrupted traffic and water supplies.
However, emergency services and Civil Defence personnel in Clutha and Central Otago held their breath as floodwaters con tinued to rise in the morning.
In Balclutha, the Clutha River peaked at 2700cumecs flow before noon, the highest level Clutha Mayor Bryan Cadogan had seen in 20 years.
‘‘The Clutha River, when it gets angry, is just a river you need to keep an eye on,’’ he said.
The Clutha had caused flooding in places, including near the Balclutha Aerodrome and in Inch Clutha, but only started causing more serious problems if the flow increased to more than 3100 cumecs, he said.
Silver Fern Farms closed its Finegand plant, and Clutha Valley School closed for the day.
The Otago Regional Council monitored the Clutha River, and a barrier was installed on the main railway line into Balclutha, where it passed through a flood bank.
The ORC confirmed the Clutha was running at the highest level recorded since November 1999.
In its final flood bulletin yesterday, the Clutha District Council said all rivers were contained within their banks and all drains were running freely.
Overnight rain could continue to cause surface flooding around Lawrence, Milton, Tapanui and coastal parts of the district, and 29 roads remained closed until further notice.
Boilwater notices remained in place for Glenkenich, North Richardson, Tuapeka West, Evans Flat, Waihola, South Richardson (Kaka Point), Stirling township, Benhar, Cherry Lane and South Bruce.
Emergency operations centre staff in Balclutha were stood down overnight, but remained on call.
In Central Otago, council staff and contractors were assessing damage to roads and water supplies.
‘‘Limited’’ cleanup work had begun in the Maniototo but other cleanup and assessment work could not be completed until floodwaters had subsided, the Central Otago District Council said.
Maniototo residents were advised to conserve water, and boilwater notices applied in Ophir and Omakau.
High levels of stormwater entering the wastewater system could cause problems with pipes draining and toilets flushing.
Portaloos were being organised for residents.
Closures remained in place for 23 roads in the Maniototo, Teviot Valley and other Central Otago areas overnight, due to slips and flooding.
The Waipiata River continued to rise due to water coming out of the Loganburn Dam.
Roxburgh and Clyde dams operator Contact Energy said it was ‘‘mindful’’ of those living below their dams.
‘‘We are ensuring that these dams are being managed in a way that does not exacerbate the flooding.’’
Southland authorities also warned of continuing road closures.
Fleming Rd and Mataura IslandTitiroa Rd in the south of the district were closed, while multiple surface flooding warning signs were still in place in the north of the district.
Affected roads included RiversdaleWaikaia Rd, Piano Flat Rd, Block Rd, PyramidWaiparu Rd, Felton Rd, Roy Rd, DiptonCastlerock Rd and Castlerock Rd.
Heavy rain eased in Queenstown during Tuesday night, leading to a relatively quiet day in the district.
Skippers Rd remained closed overnight due to a slip.
While crews were at the site yesterday, a 10tonne boulder fell, leaving the site unsafe for work to begin.
The road was expected to be open late this afternoon at the earliest.
Waitaki District Council assets group manager Neil Jorgensen said it was still too early for a full assessment of damage to the district’s infrastructure but the roading network had proven relatively resilient during the floods.
Across the district, there were 16 roads listed as closed and more under caution last night.
A Dunedin City Council spokesman said late yesterday no new floodrelated issues had emerged.
Staff and contractors were assisting with the cleanup, particularly in Middlemarch, where efforts would take two days.
Middlemarch residents were advised not to drink water from private bores, as it could be contaminated.
Water was available from a tanker beside the StrathTaieri Community Centre.
Taieri residents were also being advised not to drink water from private bores.
Water from all DCC supplies was safe to drink.
A burst water main supplying the Coast Rd and Evansdale areas had been repaired.
Residents’ tanks could take time to refill, so fresh drinking water was available from a tanker at the junction of State Highway 1 and Coast Rd.
Some roads remain closed, mostly rural roads in the StrathTaieri and Taieri areas, and motorists should continue to take extreme care.
The Warrington Domain would remain closed until further notice.