Soldiers move in as huge storm slams south
A massive storm forced hundreds out of their homes last night, saw soldiers deployed to Timaru and states of emergency declared in several South Island centres.
Soldiers were also called on to take a sick child from Oamaru to Dunedin. An Army vehicle was being used for the mercy dash.
About 1500 people in settlements near Timaru were told to leave their homes as flood levels rose.
Further south, Dunedin declared a state of emergency. Households near Dunedin airport were told to evacuate late last night as the Taieri River rose and threatened properties.
Dunedin Civil Defence controller Sandy Graham said people could be evacuated from Mosgiel.
In Dunedin itself, stormwater systems were unable to cope with the deluge. People were warned to avoid contaminated floodwaters.
At 10pm, the council appealed for volunteers to help fill sandbags to protect low- lying properties.
The storm could affect tonight’s big South Island Super Rugby quarterfinal in Christchurch. The Highlanders were unable to fly out of Dunedin and were looking at a fourand- a- half hour bus trip north. Even then flooding and road closures could interfere with the team’s plans.
Soldiers moved into Timaru late yesterday to help the South Canterbury city cope with the storm. Intense rain caused slips and road closures.
A Timaru District Council official said 24 personnel and nine trucks had been deployed after evacuation warnings were issued. In a Facebook posting, the council warned residents in low- lying areas to leave their homes.
Welfare centres were set up in Temuka, Pleasant Point and Timaru.
The storm disrupted the plans of thousands of families as the school holidays drew to a close. Many flights were cancelled from South Island centres. Travellers using South Island highways were warned that routes could be closed today. Snow and ice was forecast for all alpine passes.
Bridges were breached and several roads flooded in Oamaru. The North Otago town recorded 57.6mm of rain between 9am and 5pm, a record for a single day in July.