Otago rivers are high and rising and several have already
reached flood warning levels with more heavy rain expected
tonight.
The province has been drenched with between 30mm and 85 mm of
rain in the last 24 hours, leading to surface flooding in
Dunedin where the city council is warning motorists to take
care.
Parts of South Otago have also been affected with surface
flooding in Kaitangata, and Akatore Road is closed from
Glenledi to Taieri Mouth.
In the West Otago area the following roads are closed (as at
5pm): Greenvale Road, Winslade Road, Wooded Hill Road,
Ardmore Road, Winslade Road, Paradise Flat Road.
The Otago Regional Council expects forecast rain of 50mm to
fall before 11pm tonight to push many rivers past their
warning levels
Most rivers in Otago not already at flood warning levels are
expected to reach them, particularly the Manuherikia and
Taieri Rivers, the Otago Regional Council said in a
statement.
Rivers including the Kakanui and the Leith had begun to fall
as rain eased but the ORC says they could swell again.
"If rainfall reaches predicted levels, coastal catchments
that are currently falling such as the Leith, Waianakarua,
and Kakanui could rise rapidly again."
The council has urged people with stock or other assets near
rivers to be vigilant over the next 24-48 hours.
River details
The Kakanui River at Clifton Falls peaked at 155 cubic metres
a second and is falling after receiving more than 50mm of
rain in the last 24 hours.
The Leith has peaked at 36 cumecs and is falling after
receiving more than 84mm of rain in the last 24 hours.
Deep Stream (a tributary of the lower Taieri River) is
flowing at 110 cumecs and rising. This is expected to
increase flows in the lower Taieri at Outram to near its
first flood alarm level later tonight.
The Pomahaka at Leithen Glen recorded its highest flow since
February 1994 at 521 cumecs. The lower Pomahaka is expected
to peak around 2am tomorrow morning as the flow peak travels
down the catchment.
Rain gauges in the Manuherikia catchment show up to 40mm has
fallen in the last 24 hours and the river is at 40 cumecs and
rising.
The Shag River catchment has also received 46mm of rain in
the last 24 hours and the Shag River expected to exceed its
flood warning level of 31 cumecs later this evening.
River level and rainfall information can be checked on the
ORC water info webpage www.orc.govt.nz/waterinfo or
by phoning 0800 426 463.
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