New flood alert as city cleanup starts
Authorities warn incoming heavy rain could bring more flooding to saturated Canterbury.
A local state of emergency was lifted in Christchurch yesterday afternoon, with mayor Lianne Dalziel saying the immediate dangers posed by significant rainfall and abnormally high tides were now behind the city.
‘‘Although we are transitioning into a recovery period, we are still monitoring river levels, tides and weather forecasts very closely, to ensure we are ready to react if we need to,’’ she said.
‘‘The forecast of further rain from this Thursday means the situation is still changeable, but we are working hard to minimise any impacts by clearing flood debris from rivers, sumps and stormwater grates, and keeping pumps deployed in Southshore and Flockton.’’
A Civil Defence update said the forecast rain tomorrow could again cause problems.
City council staff and contractors began a co-ordinated cleanup yesterday and expected most of the work in the worst-affected areas to be finished by the end of today. The work included street sweeping, temporary pothole repairs, and sump cleaning.
Council park rangers and Student Volunteer Army members will collect rubbish and clear silt from pathways in public spaces on Saturday.
On Monday, the council identified 30 properties flooded above floor level and a further 27 flooded above foundation level.
Relief is in sight for the owners of water-logged Lower Selwyn Huts. Work to open Lake Ellesmere to the sea was completed about 7am yesterday, Environment Canterbury’s website said.
The lake level should reduce noticeably ‘‘over the next couple of days’’.
‘‘Heavy equipment will remain on standby in case the cut recloses,’’ it said.