The Water and Wings floatplane office on Lake Te Anau was
evacuated as the lake threatened to swamp it. Photo by
Fiordland Advocate.
Residents living next to Lakes Te Anau and Manapouri were
on alert last night as water levels continued to rise after
continuing heavy rain in the headwaters.
According to Meridian Energy's website data, Lake Te Anau was
at 204.513m above sea level yesterday, well above its normal
operating range of between 201.5m and 202.7m.
And Lake Manapouri was at 180.040m, compared to normal
operating levels of between 176.8m and 178.6m.
Environment Southland remained on flood watch yesterday as a
band of steady rain moved over the headwaters of the two
lakes and towards the Mataura River.
The MetService was predicting the band would move further
east, dumping a further 100-150mm of rain on catchment areas
until today.
Environment Southland's director of environmental management
Warren Tuckey said the rain would have a "significant impact"
on the region's already swollen rivers.
"We will resume flood warnings if the rainfall and river
conditions reach our preset trigger levels, bearing in mind
that the catchments are already saturated," Mr Tuckey said.
The Invercargill, Southland district and Gore mayors have put
aside $170,000 compensation for the victims of flooding
earlier this week.
Invercargill Mayor Tim Shadbolt told The Southland
Times there was $170,000 in a flood relief fund for just
such an event as this week's floods.
Depending on which part of Southland the flood victims lived
in, they should apply for some of the money through Mr
Shadbolt, Southland Mayor Frana Cardno or Gore Mayor Tracy
Hicks.
The region has been drenched since the weekend, with the
worst flooding in 10 years knocking out phone lines to Te
Anau, prompting the evacuation of trampers, causing the
closure of numerous roads and schools and waterlogging farms.
Environment Southland posted a flood warning at 5.30pm
yesterday for the Waiau River which, at Sunnyside, was 3.86m
above normal and rising by 137mm an hour.
• Potentially high river flows between Alexandra and Clyde
have forced the postponement of an inaugural cycle event
between the two towns, which was supposed to be held today.
Clyde and Alexandra primary school staff had organised a
bridge to bridge cycle challenge for about 40 pupils in years
5-8.
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