Latest Chch weather update 3:30pm

Update 3:30pm

Heathcote River

The high tide is expected to be coming through now, with water levels expected to peak for around an hour after that.

The advice remains that if you live in the upper and lower Heathcote River areas, and your home has flooded since the earthquakes, we strongly recommend you leave your home. Please go to family or friends, or to the Civil Defence Centre at Linwood College.

If the water is above knee level around your house, the current may be dangerous, so for your safety, please stay in your house until help arrives.

Response teams are out in boats, and some support is being provided from the army to assist you out of your home if necessary. Please call the Council Call Centre on 0800 800 169 if you are concerned about your safety or want help to evacuate.

We strongly recommend you leave now if you can do so safely and the water is below knee level.

People self-evacuating should call the Council’s Call Centre on 0800 800 169 or 03 941 8999 to register their details so we can keep them updated.

Southshore

Work continues filling low points along the estuary edge at Southshore. Three of the four low areas have been filled, and contractors are working on the final point. But ground conditions mean that this is unlikely to be completed before the high tide this afternoon. Water is likely to come through in some areas, but less water than yesterday is expected with the fill that is in place, and pumps have been put in place in several areas to help manage the water.

Multi agency response

Multiple agencies are now responding, with the Council working closely alongside Civil Defence, the New Zealand Defence Force, New Zealand Police, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, St John, Canterbury District Health Board, Ngai Tahu and the Red Cross.

The police will be patrolling areas where people have evacuated.

Roads

Latest road closures are on Newsline www.ccc.govt.nz/newsline

People are being urged to stay well away from roads in flooded areas. If it is essential for you to travel through water on the road, please drive carefully and slowly. Surges from cars into properties is a real concern.

Water and wastewater

At this stage, the Christchurch water supply is safe to drink.

Several wastewater pump stations have been flooded and are not keeping up with the inflow so wastewater is overflowing into streets. Please limit water use that produces wastewaster like flushing, washing and showering until the rain has stopped for a few hours. Please keep water use to a minimum. This applies to everyone in Christchurch and Banks Peninsula.

Regards

Joss

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