Dunedin July Severe Weather update #16
5pm, Sunday 23 July 2017

Dunedin Civil Defence Emergency Management is beginning to transition towards the recovery process as the clean up and repairs continue following significant damage caused by heavy rain and flooding on Friday and Saturday.

Dunedin Civil Defence Controller Sue Bidrose says about 130 properties – most of them in the Henley and Taieri areas – will remain evacuated overnight.

“Some of these residents may not be able to return to their homes for several days. Anyone who cannot yet return home and needs emergency accommodation should contact us on 03 477 4000.”

Anyone whose property has been damaged by floodwaters, slips or weather related issuers should contact their insurers as soon as possible. People should treat all floodwater as being potentially contaminated.

Dr Bidrose says today’s other priority has been on clearing slips on main arterial roads.

The NZ Transport Agency has now reopened State Highway 88 Dunedin to Port Chalmers following the clearance of two slips which had closed the road between Maia and Roseneath.

Aramoana Road is now open to residents’ only access at Deborah Bay through to Aramoana. Take extreme care, there is debris and surface flooding. In some places it’s one lane only.

Portobello Road from Dunedin to Portobello fully reopened to the public at 5pm today. Work to clear a slip on Harington Point Road just past the turnoff to Harwood has been completed. Harington Point Road from Portobello to the tanks traps near Taiaroa Head is open to residents’ only access with extreme care from 5pm. The road beyond the tank traps (1025 Harington Point Road) will remain impassable and staff are assessing options to restore access.

“People heading off to work and school tomorrow need to be aware there will still be widespread debris and damage on roads, and motorists must drive carefully and to the conditions,” Dr Bidrose says. “Check with your school as to whether there are any changes to opening times etc.”

Some roads remain closed due to flooding – 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/.

With floodwater on streets in Mosgiel and South Dunedin now mostly receded, we have had some reports of sewage and other debris being left behind on residential lawns and streets. Please report any instances of this to us on 03 477 4000 and we will organise for contractors to help as we can.


Power outages
Power has been restored in the Leith Valley Road area. There is currently no estimated time for restoring power to properties in Henley where there has been damage to both poles and lines

Sandbags
The Dunedin City Council will arrange for a kerbside collection of sandbags in the Mosgiel and South Dunedin areas in the next few days. More details will be made available once confirmed.

Parks and recreation
Dog owners taking their dogs along the Silverstream Flood Bank track in Mosgiel are advised to take extreme care. The high rainfall in the Silverstream catchment may have swept possum carcasses poisoned with 1080 downstream. Keep dogs on a lead at all times; carcasses will be extremely toxic to dogs if eaten. OSPRI has been asked to patrol the area and remove any carcasses.

There have been two slips onto the Frasers Gully walking track. Please stay away from this area until further notice. Second Beach walking track in St Clair is also closed due to a slip.

Keep up to date
This will be the last media release for today.

More information is available on the communication channels below, although please be aware that social media will not be actively monitored from 6pm today until tomorrow morning.

www.dunedin.govt.nz
www.facebook.com/DunedinCityCouncil
https://twitter.com/DnCityCouncil

The Emergency Operations Centre will remain open overnight with reduced staffing. Anyone with flood-related queries or issues should call 03 477 4000.

ENDS

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