Dunedin July Severe Weather update #4 - State of emergency declared for Dunedin

Dunedin July Severe Weather update #4
7.45pm, Friday 21 July 2017

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 has been declared because the emergency situation is beyond the resources of the emergency services alone, or otherwise requires significant co-ordination. It means 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 some area in Mosgiel.

“Residents in low-lying areas who feel concerned should make plans to evacuate or self-evacuate themselves to stay with friends or family who live on higher ground should it be required. Check on neighbours, particularly if they are vulnerable,” Ms Graham says.

Due to heavy rain infiltrating into the wastewater system, manhole covers have been forced up in Surrey Street, South Dunedin, and on North Road in North East Valley. The system backs up at certain bottleneck points and overflows onto the road. The overflows are contained on roads, but people should stay out of floodwaters in these areas and treat them as contaminated. The Dunedin City Council has opened all available bypasses to alleviate pressure on the system.

Dunedin Civil Defence Controller Sandy Graham says DCC staff, contractors, emergency services and Civil Defence personnel are responding as quickly as they can to weather-related issues based on priority.

A number of road closures are now in place, including State Highway 1 at Waikouaiti and State Highway 87 Outram to Kyeburn.A full list of road closures and conditions is available online at www.dunedin.govt.nz/road-conditions. State highway closures are on the NZ Transport Agency website at http://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic/

Ms Graham says that motorists should not go rubbernecking, or put themselves or others at risk.

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.

Information Centres
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

Sandbags
Sandbags and sand are available from the Memorial Park car park beside the stadium/Mosgiel Memorial Gymnasium, and 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.

Around 7000 sandbags have been collected so far.

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

• 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

© Scoop Media