More rain on the way for sodden Canterbury

Residents have been warned to stay out of flooded houses as the cleanup from last weekend’s storm continues and more heavy rain is forecast to be on the way.

Civil Defence has warned more flooding could hit as mud and contamination from Friday and Saturday’s downpour continues to be cleared and the city’s firewood supplies start to run out.

Christchurch City Council staff and contractors began a coordinated flood cleanup yesterday and expected most work in the worst-hit areas to be finished by the end of today.

The work included street sweeping, temporary pothole repairs, and sump cleaning.

On Monday, the council identified 30 properties flooded above floor level and a further 27 flooded above foundation level after torrential rains fell across the South Island. About two months worth of rain was recorded within just two days.

Council crews were using vehiclemounted mechanical brooms to sweep silt and debris from flood-affected roads. Crews were also visiting properties worst-affected by sewage contamination to remove any waste.

Canterbury medical officer of health Dr Alistair Humphrey advised residents to ‘‘stay out’’ of flooded houses as ‘‘significant health and safety risks’’ were likely following floods.

Carpet and other soft furnishings were likely to be contaminated by sewage and mould. That would likely worsen until houses were properly treated, Humphrey said.

Wiring should be checked by a qualified electrician before people moved back into their homes.

‘‘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.’’

Residents should contact their insurer before disposing of flood-damaged items, he said.

Yesterday afternoon, residents in some streets alongside the Heathcote River could be seen trying to dry flooded homes with doors and windows thrown open. Carpets and household items were outside in the sun.

Council park rangers and Student Volunteer Army members are expected to collect rubbish and clear silt from pathways in public spaces on Saturday.

A Civil Defence update said the forecast rain tomorrow could again cause problems. ‘‘[This] may cause isolated flooding in areas, particularly where grounds are already saturated,’’ it said.

MetService meteorologist April Clark said the rain in Canterbury and Otago tomorrow would not be as much as that which flooded the regions on Friday and Saturday.

The city council said its recovery team would continue to monitor river levels, tides and weather forecasts for Christchurch carefully.

The water level in the Heathcote River levels was dropping and upper storage basins were emptying slowly yesterday. It was expected to take another three days though before the basins emptied enough for the effect on water levels in the river to no longer be noticeable.

Pumps would remain in place in Southshore and Flockton to remove any water from the streets as needed, and water levels would be monitored during high tides, the council said.

The warning of more bad weather comes as Canterbury’s firewood shortage gets worse, with one company already selling fuel meant for next winter.

Christchurch’s largest firewood supplier, City Firewood, has a waiting list until September and has closed the yard for a few days to catch up on supplies.

Blazing Firewood owner Mark Osborne said he would run out of firewood for this year within the week.

‘‘I am already selling firewood to my customers for next year. They want to get in ahead of the demand.’’

Osborne said he had been logging for 25 years, but was now setting up an engineering business as he felt the firewood industry could be on the decline.

‘‘I have been doing logging since I was 15 and I have always wondered how long the wood will last. It takes five minutes to drop a tree, but 20 years to grow one.

‘‘I don’t think firewood is something that is secure for the future.’’

City Firewood owner John Harris said supplies were lower this year because old logging machinery slowed down work over summer. He said new logging machinery had now been purchased.

He said they could not dry the firewood in their kilns fast enough to keep up with demand. The yard was closed for pick ups for three days over the weekend to give them a chance to catch up on wood drying.