Mosgiel residents are being asked not to shower or flush their toilets for the next few hours while a malfunctioning valve at the wastewater pumping system is repaired.
The issue was reported to the Dunedin City Council Emergency Operations Centre just after 7pm and staff were on site quickly.
DCC Controller Sandy Graham says the teams will work as quickly as possible to resolve the issue. Mosgiel residents are asked to monitor news and social media sites for updates.
DCC 'all ready to go' after rare red rain warning issued
Dunedin’s civil defence bunker was activated earlier today in response to MetService issuing a rare red heavy rain warning for coastal Dunedin and Clutha.
State Highway 88 from Sawyers Bay to Port Chalmers, between Station Rd and Borlases Rd, is now closed due to flooding.
In addition, State Highway 87 between Kyeburn and Outram, State Highway 85 between Kyeburn and Palmerston, and State Highway 8 between Omarama and Tarras (through Lindis Pass) have been closed due to snow.
Dunedin Mayor Sophie Barker said it was a "significant weather event" across the city.
"We're now seeing localised incidents of surface flooding and minor land instability.
"As a result, we're asking people to stay home if possible, avoid any unnecessary travel and keep up to date with all the latest information.
"Our roading and pipe networks are coping well so far, but there's more rain to come tonight. If anyone feels unsafe, they should self-evacuate to friends or family if possible in the first instance.
"Anyone in danger should call 111 and seek help from emergency services, and anyone with nowhere else to go can contact the DCC for support on 03 477 4000."
The forecaster updated an orange heavy rain warning to red about 12.35pm. The warning is valid until 10am tomorrow.
MetService said up to 120mm of rain was possible, and the heaviest falls were likely from late Sunday afternoon until early Monday morning.
"This is a significant amount of rain for low-lying areas, especially impactful around low-lying parts of Dunedin and the Taieri Plain."
MetService says there is a threat to life from dangerous river conditions, significant flooding and slips.
"Conditions will disrupt travel, make some roads impassable, and isolate communities."
The Dunedin City Council advised about 1.20pm that the Civil Defence bunker was being activated this afternoon, and said sandbags were available in South Dunedin and Mosgiel.
It said rain was already causing some localised surface flooding on roads around the city, and there was a risk of more, and slips in some locations as the rain continued.
Flood protection barriers would also be installed in Surrey St later this afternoon.
"We are working hard to ensure the city is ready and all steps are taken to minimise any impacts, and our contractors and staff are on standby to respond to any incidents."
Civil Defence Controller Sandy Graham said in a statement tonight that the heavy rainfall forecast for this evening arrived earlier than expected but is forecast to continue overnight.
"We also know the situation can change quickly, so the Civil Defence bunker will continue to operate overnight and we’ll have a team of staff and contractors responding to issues as they emerge."
"We’re actively monitoring inland areas and rivers too – alongside our colleagues at the Otago Regional Council and Metservice – and we’ll continue to work closely and collaboratively."
Snow falling inland
It comes as snow is falling in some areas, and a slew of severe weather alerts covers much of the South Island.
Late this morning MetService updated its road snowfall warning for Dunedin's northern motorway to say 5 to 10cm could accumulate on the road above 300 metres, "but possibly as much as 30cm near the summit".
The DCC earlier said it was opening self-serve sandbag stations at the Dunedin Ice Stadium carpark in Victoria Rd, and at Mosgiel Memorial carpark, "out of an abundance of caution".
The council said it was a precautionary measure to get ahead of the worst of the forecast weather.
Sandbag stations in will remain open overnight with sand being replenished as needed.
Evacuation centre set up, minister on way
Dunedin Mayor Sophie Barker told RNZ "we completely understand the stress that everybody's under", and any forecast of significant rain was concerning for South Dunedin's flood risk.
"We've done our best to be prepared, and are working hard to make sure that if we get a significant rain event we are all ready to go."
Barker said contractors had swept low-lying parts of the draining network, and mud-tanks had been cleared.
She said she would be monitoring the rain radar and forecasts closely, including looking at the weather for the wider Otago region, and possible flow-on effects.
"We've learnt we need to be [ready] for anything. The weather is challenging."
She said the Minister for Emergency Management Mark Mitchell was expected to travel to Dunedin this evening.
Barker said it was not because a State of Emergency was going to be declared.
"Mark Mitchell has been an amazing minister for making sure that he's on the ground during Civil Defence emergencies throughout New Zealand.
"We look at the weather forecasts and they're looking pretty serious.
"But he's just showing himself to be very willing to come down and lend a hand when we need a hand.
"We just prepare for the worst case, and pray for the best."
Further north, another orange heavy rain warning, from 4pm Monday until 6pm Tuesday, has been issued for Marlborough and inland Canterbury north of Lake Sumner, excluding Marlborough Sounds.
MetService expected 50 to 200mm of rain about the ranges, and 60 to 90mm nearer the coast with a moderate chance of turning into a red warning.
A heavy rain watch is also in place for mainland Southland (not including northern Southland above 400 metres) until 11pm on Sunday.
Inland Canterbury about and north of the Rangitata River (excluding areas covered by warning) is also in for a heavy rain watch from 12pm Monday.
The West Coast south of Westport is set to go under a strong wind watch from 10am Monday.
Caution on roads urged
An orange heavy snow warning is in place for northern Southland and Otago, excluding coastal areas, and a heavy snow watch will be in place for South Canterbury south of the Rangitata River from 3am on Monday till 3am on Tuesday.
In an update at noon on Sunday the Central Otago District Council said snow was falling in and around Naseby, Wedderburn, St Bathans and the Ida Valley areas, and urged motorists to undertake travel only if necessary.
"No closures, but we are expecting this to get heavier and more widespread as the day progresses, so please consider this in your travel plans. Necessary travel only."
MetService meteorologist Maddy Neal earlier said the southern region could be in for some heavy accumulations of snow.
"As we progress through the day, the snow level is going to lower, which is why we have a warning out because people in some urban areas, including parts of Central Otago, Northern Southland and even potentially urban areas of Dunedin may see some snow later in the day as that snow level lowers down to possibly 200 metres in places."
She said the chance of the orange snow warning being upgraded to a red warning was now moderate.
"It's not a red warning, but we could expect potentially some changes as we go through the day [on Sunday]."
Neal also added there was a chance that snow accumulation could reach one metre in areas above 800m.
Severe weather advisories
- as at 8.46pm Sunday
Heavy Rain Warning - Red
Area: Coastal Dunedin and Clutha
Period: 14 hours from 8pm Sunday to 10am Monday
Forecast: A further 50 to 70mm of rain on top of what has already fallen, especially from Milton northwards. Intensities are now generally decreasing, but some locations may still experience 10 to 15mmh until early Monday morning. Snow is likely above 300 metres. This is a significant amount of rain for low lying areas, especially around low lying parts of Dunedin and the Taieri Plain.
Heavy Snow Warning - Orange
Area: Otago excluding coastal areas, and northern Southland (north of about Lumsden)
Period: 10 hours from 8pm Sunday to 6am Monday
Forecast: Further snow is expected during the night above 200 to 300 metres. Between 400 and 600 metres, another 5 to 10cm of snow is expected, especially south of Queenstown to Middlemarch. Above 600 metres, there could be 20 to 40cm of snow still to fall.
Moderate chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.
Heavy Rain Warning - Orange
Area: Coastal parts of North Otago
Period: 18 hours from 8pm Sunday to 2am Monday
Forecast: Expect a further 70 to 100mm of rain. Intensities of 10 to 15mmh are possible until early Monday morning. Snow is likely above 300 metres.
High chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.
Strong Wind Watch
Area: Fiordland north of Doubtful Sound and west of the main divide
Period: 21 hours from 9pm Sunday to 6pm Monday
Forecast: Southeast winds may approach severe gale in exposed places. Moderate chance of upgrading to a Warning.
Road Snowfall Warnings
Dunedin to Waitati Highway (SH1)
Forecast: Some snow may be mixed with the rain near the summit of the road, but it is unlikely that any snow will accumulate on the road.
Crown Range Road
Valid: 10 hours from 8pm Sunday to 6am Monday
Forecast: Some further snow showers are expected until around dawn Monday, with 1 to 2cm of snow settling near the summit and lesser amounts down to 600 metres.
Lindis Pass (SH8)
Valid: 14 hours from 8pm Sunday to 10am Monday
Forecast: Snow is expected to continue to settle on the road above 400 metres until mid-morning Monday. Expect a further 10 to 15cm near the summit with lesser amounts down to 400 metres.
Haast Pass (SH6)
Valid: 3 hours from 8pm to 11pm Sunday
Forecast: Snow showers are easing tonight. A further 1 to 2cm of snow may accumulate above 500 metres before 11pm.
- additional reporting ODT Online
This story was first published on rnz.co.nz |  |
