Power has been restored to most of Roxburgh and Millers Flat with only a few people remaining without who will be supplied generators later today.
Power has been restored to all 186 customers affected in the northern part of Roxburgh except five customers who will be supplied by generator later today as a temporary measure. Permanent repairs including replacement of a transformer and pole will be made when ground conditions allow.
Power has been restored to all 121 customers affected in Millers Flat following a vehicle accident that damaged power poles.
Roxburgh residents may be without water until Wednesday.
Central Otago Mayor Tim Cadogan said this afternoon water may be restored before Wednesday, but at this stage it looked like it could be another two days without water.
Residents and emergency services are rallying to clean up after extreme flooding in Roxburgh that cut off the town and its water supply yesterday.
The main highway immediately on either side of Roxburgh remains closed this morning, but a detour past the town is available through Millers Flat and the Roxburgh Dam using Teviot Rd.
People using this route are asked to drive cautiously as crews are working on the road clearing debris.
Drinking water is being trucked into Roxburgh after yesterday afternoon's downpour cut off the town and its water supply.
The town also has no wastewater and residents are being advised to set up their own toilet system with buckets if necessary, and to not flush their toilets. Fourteen portaloos are being brought in and should be in place from early afternoon.
A water tanker is being sourced and sent to Millers Flat. This will be in place by mid-afternoon. When the power comes back on the water should as well. A fire command unit will be on site at Millers Flat for residents as a point of contact.
Mobile phone reception is erratic for both Vodafone and Spark networks. Residents are asked to monitor the Central Otago District Council Facebook page for updates.
Roxburgh Area School principal Gary Pasco said flooding had severely damaged a class room and a science lab at the school, soaking carpet and wrecking equipment.
There was also less severe damage in other parts of the school.
It would only be able to re-open once the town's water supply was back up and running, Mr Pasco said.
NZ Transport Agency said in an update this morning SH8 was affected by slips both north and south of Roxburgh and would likely remain closed all day.
NZTA transport system manager Graeme Hall said the Teviot Rd diversion was suitable for heavy freight traffic, but the bridge into Roxburgh was not.
He encouraged all non-essential travellers to avoid the area if possible. Other drivers through Central Otago would need to take SH85 between Alexandra and Palmerston, north of Dunedin.
The pipe to the town's reservoir was ruptured by the floods last night and the water reservoir had drained and was completely empty, Roxburgh Community Board chairman Raymond Gunn said.
The only source of drinking water for Roxburgh township and Coal Creek residents is from tankers that have been brought in. More tankers were due to arrive this morning and would be either at the town's fire station or on the main street, Mr Gunn said.
The reservoir at the Lake Roxburgh hydro village was still full, but residents there were being asked to conserve water, he said.
Residents and emergency services were rallying and people were helping their neighbours, Mr Gunn said.
An emergency centre has been set up at the Roxburgh Service Centre. Enclosed 20 litre buckets of water can be delivered to any residents unable to travel to the water tankers.
About eight houses were evacuated last night but most were able to return home once floodwaters had receded.
A council spokeman said council staff were door knocking on the Elderly Persons flats and providing water to residents. Police have a strong presence in the town. People are encouraged to check on their neighbours particularly if they are elderly or vulnerable.
Welfare is being managed from the Roxburgh service centre. Anyone with concerns can speak to the staff there.
Building inspectors are on-site now to talk with people who had to leave their homes last night.
The council spokesman said it was essential that Lake Roxburgh Village residents conserved water as supplies in the reservoir were limited. Depending on how much is used, Lake Roxburgh residents can expect to run out of water later today. Council is currently sourcing a tanker to go to Lake Roxburgh Village.
A police spokesman said they were impressed by the ``amazing community spirit shown by the people of Roxburgh in what has been a trying night for many''.
"Police will have a number of patrols out and about in the area today and encourage anyone with concerns to contact us.''
