Forecast predicts more heavy rainfall ahead for Otago
1 February 2018
Forecast predicts more heavy rainfall ahead
for Otago
With ongoing rainfall, ORC staff are closely monitoring river levels; Engineering and Operations staff are out in the field ensuring culverts and outfalls are clear. ORC pump stations are ready to operate. ORC is not currently expecting any significant overtopping of the region’s rivers and waterways.
Rainfall
outlook:
The latest MetService issue this
morning forecast more significant heavy rain and strong
winds to hit the South Island. A Severe Weather Warning for
Heavy Rain in Otago remains in place from 10:00am Thursday
– 12:00am Friday. A further 80 – 150mm of rain is
expected to accumulate, particularly in the west of the
region. North Otago is expected to receive 50 – 80mm rain.
Rain is expected to ease around midnight tonight
(Thursday).
Likely outlook for
rivers:
Waterways in West Otago, Dart River,
Shotover River, Matukituki River, and Makarora River are
high and expected to peak in the next few hours. Central
Otago rivers will rise and are anticipated to peak later
this afternoon. For Dunedin area, the Water of Leith and
Lindsay Creek are likely to rise rapidly and to peak later
this afternoon or early evening, no overtopping is expected.
The contractor working on the Leith Flood Protection Scheme
below Union St on campus are making the work site safe.
Silver Stream will also rise, but the Gordon Rd spillway is
not expected to operate. In South Otago, the Pomahaka River
will rise, but no significant overtopping is anticipated.
The Taieri River at Henley is not likely to overtop its
banks. River mouths along the coast have been checked and
cleared if required.
Mt Roy potential
mud flows:
While no mud flows appear to have
happened yet, the warning to Wanaka residents in the Mt Roy
area between Stoney Creek and Waterfall Creek remains
current. As it may take a certain amount of rain to saturate
the loose soil and generate run-off and muddy sediment
flows, people are advised to remain vigilant and aware of
potential flows for the duration of the rainfall.
Otago Regional Council and Queenstown Lakes District Council are working with Otago Civil Defence and Emergency Management to continue monitoring the situation.
Stay up-to-date through these channels:
• Website www.orc.govt.nz
• For flow and
rainfall information: https://www.orc.govt.nz/managing-our-environment/water/water-monitoring-and-alerts
• Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/OtagoRegionalCouncil
• Twitter
https://twitter.com/OtagoRC
• MetService
http://www.metservice.com/warnings/severe-weather-warnings
Further updates will be given via ORC social media
channels if necessary; to speak to someone if you have
immediate concerns please contact the Regional Council on
0800 474 082. In the event of any threat to your property
please call 111.
ends