Dunedin state of emergency declared

Dunedin severe weather update #3 – 2.50pm

Dunedin (Thursday, 1 February 2018) – Mayor of Dunedin Dave Cull has declared a state of emergency for Dunedin city in response to issues arising from heavy rain in the city today.

The state of emergency was declared at 2.20pm to make sure extra powers are available to assist in the emergency response.

Dunedin Civil Defence Controller Sandy Graham says Civil Defence is making plans to evacuate people from South Dunedin if required, as heavy rain forces wastewater into streets.

“The volume of rain we have had is overwhelming parts of the network. That means in some places stormwater has entered the wastewater system, forcing wastewater on to some streets.”

Police are visiting properties affected by wastewater overflows around South Dunedin to let people know that an evacuation centre is available if needed.

An evacuation centre has been set up in South Dunedin at the Caledonian Gym building, Andersons Bay Road for anyone who wishes to leave their home.

An information centre is open in Mosgiel at the Memorial Park Hall, Gordon Road.

Civil Defence staff are at the centres to provide information and support.

Mr Cull says there is now significant flooding in areas across Dunedin, particularly in South Dunedin and Mosgiel.

“We will continue to keep the community informed and we are doing everything we can to keep people and properties safe.”

Around 36mm of rain has fallen in Dunedin in the last two hours and it is still going. The rain is expected to ease significantly by around 6pm tonight, but it will take some time for floodwaters to recede.

The DCC, Otago Regional Council, emergency services and contractors are working flat out to deal with as many issues as possibly as quickly as possible.

We are asking people to avoid travel in affected areas if possible. Anyone who needs to drive through streets with surface flooding should slow down to reduce the amount of floodwater washed into property or businesses.

If you need help to deal with flooding issues at your property, please call 111.

All floodwaters should be treated as contaminated. Visit www.dunedin.govt.nz for more information.

Sandbags

People concerned about rising water can still pick up sandbags from the locations below. Sandbags are filled and ready to be collected. Hundreds of sandbags have been collected so far.
• South Dunedin – car park behind St Clair Tennis Club, Victoria Road
• Mosgiel – Memorial Park car park beside the stadium/Mosgiel Memorial Gymnasium

For the public to keep up to date with what is happening and for advice about what to do if the rain gets worse, please see the DCC website, DCC social media, listen to the radio and use other media. You can call us on 03 477 4000.

Please refer family, friends and neighbours to these communication channels.
www.dunedin.govt.nz/adverse-weather
www.facebook.com/DunedinCityCouncil
https://twitter.com/DnCityCouncil

ENDS

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