Flood Advisory

Otago flood conditions update

Thursday 20 June 2013 1000hrs

Heavy rain on the Taieri Plain 75mm at Riccarton Road in the past 24 hours – has caused further localised flooding. The Silver Stream reached 55 cumecs early this morning but did not reach the level of the Gordon Road spillway, and since has since been dropping. Dunedin has had 35 mm of rain. Some surface flooding has occurred in the Milton-Tokomairiro area.

MetService says 10cm to 30cm of snow is expected to fall above 500 metres between 9am and noon today in eastern Otago, south of the Kakanui Mountains. A further 2 to 5cm is also expected to accumulate in Central Otago.

The public are reminded that further rainfall may cause river level to rise quickly. Farmers should keep stock and equipment off flood prone areas.

Taieri

The Taieri River remains high with 75mm of rainfall occurring at Riccarton Road in the past 24 hours. The Silver Stream peaked at 55 cumecs early this morning, but is dropping.

Lower Clutha

The Lower Clutha remains high as water from upper catchments drain into it. Minor surface flooding is expected to continue on low lying areas.

Pomahaka
The Pomahaka River at Burkes Ford remains high due to inflows at mid-catchment from Heriotburn to the Waipahi.

Tokomairiro

The Tokomairiro River has been rising slowly overnight and there is surface flooding in Milton.

North Otago catchments
North Otago rivers are stable with no major rainfall overnight.

Central Otago
The Manuherikia River is high and stable at 100 cumecs.

Dunedin streams

The Water of Leith and Lindsay Creek rose overnight with heavy rain in Dunedin, but have since been dropping.

Up-to-date river level and rainfall information is available on the ORC water info webpage www.orc.govt.nz/waterinfo or by phoning 0800 426 463.

Further information on flood hazard can be found in the Otago Natural Hazards Database. Flood alerts can also be received via Twitter. See www.orc.govt.nz

ENDS

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