Severe flood warnings have been issued for North Otago after forecasters predicted record rainfall in the region over the next two days.
Heavy rain from a predicted severe storm is forecast to start falling in Otago in the early hours of tomorrow morning, and up to 25cm could fall between then and Tuesday, the Otago Regional Council says.
It says many roads in North Otago, including SH 1, could be inundated with flood water from Monday evening.
"High intensity rainfall over Monday night and Tuesday is currently predicted to cause severe flooding in all North Otago catchments, possibly extending to Dunedin and Taieri catchments.
"The predicted level of rainfall, at 250mm, is higher than any previously recorded levels in North Otago, and flood levels may be comparable to those levels recorded in the 1980 and 1986 flood events," ORC duty flood manager Matt Dale said.
The Otago Regional Council (ORC) had phoned people on its flood warning lists for the Kakanui, Shag and Leith catchments.
Farmers are advised to move stock and equipment from low lying areas everyone is advised to take appropriate precautionary measures.
Waitaki District Council and Dunedin City Council Emergency Management staff have been advised of the situation, Mr Dale said.
