All rural roads in Waitaki are effectively off-limits to motorists today, after the Waitaki District Council issued a no non-essential travel notice.
Although the MetService this morning lifted a four-day long heavy rain warning for eastern Otago, flood-affected roads still caused disruption across much of North Otago, as school bus services were cancelled and motorists advised to stay off rural roads, after 27mm of rain fell in Oamaru between 9am yesterday and 8.30am today.
Civil Defence public information manager Elton Crane said many roads were still closed and added that the council had issued a no non-essential travel notice on all rural roads.
Mr Crane said no rural school buses servicing Oamaru Schools were running today, and advised residents to check the council website for up-to-date information on road closures (here).
He added that anyone isolated, concerned or in need of assistance should call 03 434 6400 or 03 434 0300.
Waitaki District Council emergency services manager Chris Raine said there had been no need to evacuate rural residents, but urged anyone cut-off to contact council or Civil Defence.
''We have some families that are definitely isolated, we had that confirmed this morning. We know they have got no road access into the area, but unless they have specific medical problems or another problem, we will just have to sit tight until the roads reopen.
''We are not necessarily going to contact everyone, we ask that people make contact with the council or Civil Defence if they have got any issues.''
More than 40 roads were closed this morning and Mr Raine said another 38 were in a ''precarious'' state and passable only with care.
''We just want people to stay off the roads, especially at night time, because they can travel down the road to town, but they can't tell if the road will be there when it's time to go home.''
