HEAVY RAIN - DUNEDIN

MetService has issued its highest severe weather warning for the bottom of the South Island, where 150mm of rain is forecast over a 34-hour period.

Heavy rainfall is also tipped to continue around the North Island until tonight.

North Otago, Dunedin and coastal Clutha are under a red heavy warning for 34 hours (started at 11am today). MetService said the extreme rainfall could cause a “threat to life from dangerous river conditions and significant flooding and slips.”

With two months of rain possible in just over a day, the national forecaster has warned people to prepare for power cuts and telecommunication outages, and be ready to self-evacuate if they see rising water.

The Hall’s operation team will monitor the situation as it unfolds and adapt as needed to continue servicing our customers as best as possible.

Updated Friday 4 October (5:16pm)

A state of emergency has been declared in Dunedin and Clutha due to rising flood waters.

Dunedin’s roads have been cut off in every direction after floodwaters forced the closure of three State Highways. SH1 south of Dunedin, Waihola to Milton, north of Dunedin from Evansdale to Hampden, as well as SH85 Palmerston to Kyeburn are all closed.

There will be no freight movement into or out of Dunedin this evening. Our operations team will continue to monitor the changing situation.