Waitaki Civil Defence activated its own emergency operations centre at 3pm.

Group Controller Chris Hawker said at this stage Emergency Management Otago was monitoring and liaising with emergency services along the length of the Otago coast as well as the Otago Regional Council’s hazards team, who are monitoring river levels and modelling how they will react to rainfall. Emergency Management Otago is also providing logistical support to Waitaki.

“We are at a very early stage and we know from the forecast and modelling that there is a lot more rain to come over the next seven hours or so, particularly in Dunedin,” Mr Hawker said.

“We know that many roads are affected by surface flooding, including the state highways along the coast and also inland. Further inland, snow is likely to become a factor as the temperatures drop overnight.

“While many people might have had travel plans this weekend, we would urge everyone to consider the conditions and think twice about hitting the roads tonight.”

ENDS

Media contact - Michele Poole, duty public information manager, Emergency Management Otago - 0278398306