Dunedin July Severe Weather update #2

3.15pm, Friday 21 July 2017

Dunedin City Council staff, contractors and Civil Defence personnel are responding to issues related to severe weather across the city.

Dunedin City Council Civil Defence Controller Sandy Graham says the personnel from key agencies are working together to co-ordinate the response and use resources efficiently.

Some coastal roads, for example Aramoana, were affected by some surface debris at high tides. There is currently some surface flooding in Mosgiel, which is being closely monitored.

“We have crews out in Mosgiel, as well as other parts of the city, responding to flooding-related issues. Anyone wanting to report flood-related issues with DCC services should call us on 03 477 4000 to report it. Anyone who feels their safety is in danger or who has water entering their house or business should call emergency services on 111,” Ms Graham says.

For Mosgiel people concerned about rising water and wanting to divert running water, sandbags and sand are available from the Memorial Park car park beside the stadium/Mosgiel Memorial Gymnasium.

Sandbags are also available in South Dunedin at the carpark behind St Clair Tennis Club, Victoria Road.

Where possible, people should bring a shovel to fill the bags, although contractors are available on-site at both locations to assist with filling and loading.

Information Centres

As a precaution, Dunedin City Council has opened information centres in South Dunedin and Mosgiel as places where people can go for more information and which can also potentially be used as welfare centres if the need develops. The centres are currently staffed and are located at:

• Mosgiel – Fire Station Theatre, 3 Cargill Street

• South Dunedin – The Mercy Room, Catholic Social Services, 42 Macandrew Road

Roads & stormwater

The DCC recently completed a full cleaning programme for the city’s 8000 mudtanks. Additional checks of mud tanks in low lying and high risk areas are taking place. Road maintenance contractors continue to sweep gutters around the city. Crews will continue to work throughout today and overnight.

If you are able, you may want to prepare for the forecast heavy rain by checking the gutters and grates on your street for leaves and debris. This will help water get into the tanks and reduce the risk of surface flooding. Please remove any debris well clear, so that it cannot flow back on top of grates.

There are several road and ford closures in place as a result of flooding, mostly in rural areas. A full list of road closures and conditions is available online at www.dunedin.govt.nz/road-conditions.

The MetService has advised that rain may turn to snow near the summit of the Dunedin-Waitati highway overnight tonight (Friday), and 3 to 6cm may accumulate through to Saturday morning.

All DCC stormwater screens are clear. We are continuing to monitor the situation and crews will be checking screens to ensure they are kept clear of debris.

Sportsgrounds & Freedom Camping

DCC sportgrounds will remain closed today and Saturday. The Dunedin premier club rugby semi-finals at Hancock Park will go ahead as scheduled, provided it is safe to do so.

Due to the weather the DCC recommends all freedom campers find alternative accommodation rather than staying at either of the DCC’s two freedom camping sites tonight.

General preparedness

We encourage all residents and businesses across the city to make their own preparations. Residents in low-lying areas who feel concerned should make plans to self-evacuate themselves to stay with friends or family who live on higher ground should it be required later on. Check on neighbours, particularly if they are vulnerable.

• Check spoutings and drainage channels for blockages and clear them if necessary

• If your basement is prone to flooding lift items that could be damaged by water off the floor. Be sure garden sprays and other chemicals won’t be affected

• Check grates near your house for blockages and keep them clear of leaves and other debris to avoid water building up and affecting your property.

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.

Please refer family, friends and neighbours to these communication channels.

www.dunedin.govt.nz

www.facebook.com/DunedinCityCouncil

https://twitter.com/DnCityCouncil

Anyone with flood-related queries or issues should call 03 477 4000.

ENDS

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