5 March 2014

Council weather update: 3pm

Residents are being asked to avoid Canterbury Street, Lyttelton, where a retaining wall has been damaged and water continues to flow along the street.

More resources are being sent to the area and it is possible people might be evacuated due to safety issues.

The approaches to Lyttelton Tunnel are open from both directions as is the tunnel itself.

A number of localised slips have been reported in Lyttelton. Staff are working with the residents’ association to find suitable alternative accommodation for people who need it.

River levels in Christchurch are dropping with the outgoing tide and as rainfall eases, with a further six millimetres of rain expected to fall over the next six hours.

About 4000 houses are still without power, mostly in Banks Peninsula and rural townships. Orion is working to restore services as quickly as possible.

“This was a significant, escalating event that moved very quickly from a 1-in-5-year event to a 1-in-100-year event,” says Mayor Lianne Dalziel.

“The weather forecasts did not predict an event of this gravity. We were constantly reassessing the situation and managing it as needed.

“We’ve seen a coming together of all the teams involved as all agencies are working closely together managing the situation and providing people with the support they need, including the Council, Police, Fire Service and Christchurch District Health Board.

“I am very grateful for the offers of full support for Christchurch that have been extended today from the Prime Minister, the Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery who has come to Christchurch today to personally extend his support, and the Minister of Civil Defence.”

The Council suggests
• People remain at home if they can
• Don’t use the roads if they can avoid it
• Make a connection with others for support and offer assistance family, friends neighbors

“We are suggesting employers consider allowing their employees to stagger their departure from work, to avoid putting pressure on the roads,” the Mayor says.

“As the water is receding, the Council is working on cleaning up the roads, removing debris to help stormwater drainage and watching the situation very carefully.

“Our people will be out there again tonight and the community can play their part by checking on their friends and neighbours just like they did during the earthquakes.”

The Council will be meeting with the contracting industry today to plan the cleanup. Checks will also be done on the city’s wells and reservoirs to make they remain secure.

Teams will begin clearing debris as soon as it is safe to do so to allow surface water to drain away naturally.

Main Road into Sumner has severe surface flooding but is now open. Drivers are asked to take care and only travel if it is essential. The community hub in Sumner is open at 57 Nayland Street for people who need assistance.

If anyone has any issues to report, please contact the Council on 941 8999 or 0800 800 169, or email info@ccc.govt.nz

The Council is urging drivers to be extra vigilant and mindful while driving today. Speeding causes large waves which worsen the effects of surface flooding on properties.

The Council is advising residents, if you don’t need to leave home today, don’t.

Water supply
Water is being trucked into Little River and we ask residents to conserve water in BanksPeninsula.

Waste water
We expect to have isolated issues with wastewater systems. This may cause issues with toilet flushing and we ask that unnecessary flushing is avoided.

Welfare Centre
The Council’s Welfare Centre at Mairehau High School, 440 Hills Road, remains open; 10 residents have made use of the service. An assessment will be made later this afternoon on the need to keep it open.

A similar centre has been established at Woolston Primary School.

In Little River, a number of people have evacuated to the hall, where there has been no electricity since yesterday afternoon. A generator is on site and welfare provisions delivered.

Banks Peninsula Update

Slips
Lyttelton wastewater treatment plant the cliff above the treatment plant has slipped and surface water from Sumner Road is flowing from the top of the cliff. This is being assessed now by contractors.

Norwich Quay Lyttelton the cliff beside the museum has slipped and debris has affected the sewer main. The area has been fenced off and staff are assessing further.

Duvauchelle wastewater treatment plant staff are monitoring the site as slips have occurred in the past.

Reservoirs
All reservoirs across the peninsula are being monitored and residents are asked to conserve water. Specific reservoirs affected are:
• Duvauchelle both reservoirs at the are less than half full and tankers are are being organised.
• Takamatua Reservoirs are low and tankers are being organised.
• Birdlings Flat tankers are supplying water.
• Little River low water level in reservoir and electrical repairs required. Road closures affecting ability of tankers to supply water.

Wastewater treatment plants
Plants at Duvauchelle and Diamond Harbour have been affected and pollution is an issue warning signs have been posted. Plants at Akaroa, Governors Bay and Lyttelton are all working correctly.

Hospitals
Despite the ongoing rain and flooding, it’s business as usual at Christchurch and Burwood hospitals today.

If you have an outpatient appointment, you’re advised to set off from home earlier than usual to allow plenty of time for parking. At Christchurch Hospital some parks at the rear of the hospital (near the Riverside entrance) have been cordoned off because of concerns about flooding.

All elective surgery and outpatient appointments are going ahead as planned.

People planning on visiting family or friends in hospital may want to delay their visit until later today when the weather is forecast to ease.

Due to weather and road conditions Canterbury District Health Board is unable to guarantee delivery of Meals on Wheels today.

Public health advice
People are asked to take note of the following advice:
• Avoid rivers and the beaches for at least two days as these may have been contaminated with sewage. This means it's not safe to drink water from rivers or use the rivers or estuary for recreational use.
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help, especially from family or neighbours.
• Keep an eye out for each other, especially if there are vulnerable people (e.g. the elderly or someone unwell) in your neighbourhood.
• If you have no power, use perishable food in your fridge first. Keep your freezer closed as long as possible to help keep food frozen for a while.

Geotechnical teams monitoring hillside areas
Up to 20 geotechnical consultants are monitoring known risk areas.

The Council is asking people in hillside areas to be vigilant, and keep an eye out for any telltale signs of mass movement, including:

• New cracking to land, buildings, driveways or paths
• Existing cracks that get longer, wider or deeper
• Leaning or bulging of retaining walls
• Rockfalls

If you notice any changes, or have any concerns, please call the Council’s call centre on
941 8999, or 0800 800 169.

If you believe there is a risk to life, call 111 and self-evacuate.

CERA
Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee has directed that the Winter Make it Right Programme is made available to help those with housing issues that will need to be addressed but are not emergencies.

The programme has previously coordinated contractors to assist with repairs to earthquake-damaged homes to make them weather tight and safe.

People should continue to contact emergency services in the first instance if they have urgent issues.

Current significant flooding sites/road closures
New Brighton Rd, Burwood –Queensbury
Owles Tce, SeaviewUnion
Locksley Ave, GayhurstGlenarm been sent back to McBratneys
Banks Ave, CoopersNorth Parade
Hills Rd, WarringtonWarden
Fitzgerald Ave, north bound, KilmoreCambridge
Avonside Dr, WainoniTorlesse
Richardson Tce, FerryOpawa
Clarendon Tce, RadleyOpawa
Aynsley Tce, OpawaCentaurus
Smith St
Fifield Tce, all
Riverlaw Tce, all
Eastern Tce, all
Waimea Tce, all
Aldwins Rd, FerryLinwood
Canterbury St, at Days Rd
Slater St, ShirleyWarden
Warrington St, HillsBarbadoes
Aylsford St, HillsWestminster
Flockton St, WarringtonWestminster
Carrick St, all
Speight St, all
Thornton St, all
Archer St, all
Squire St, all
Harrison St, all
Edward Ave, GeraldineBarbadoes
Edgeware Rd, HillBarbadoes
Dyers Pass Rd, SummitGovernors Bay
Summit Rd, HilltopPigeon Bay Rd
Pigeon Bay Rd, all
Ensors Rd, south bound, FerryBrougham
Linwood/Woodham
Maces Rd, at Ruru
Chancellor St
Severn St
Thames St at Innes
Mountbatten St
Palatine Tce
Waterloo Rd/Kissell St Intersection
Barrington St at the mall
Albert Tce
Minaret Cres, at Crosby St
Marlin Place, at Minaret Cres
Stapletons Rd, Shirley–North Pde
Champion St, Edgeware–Bealey Ave
Belfast Rd, at railway line
Husseys Rd, at Willowbank
Main Rd, causeway down to one lane
Main Rd, at Cave Tce
Blenhiem Rd, one lane Annex east for 200m
Ashgrove Tce, opposite hospital

ENDS

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