Dunedin flood-hit highways reopening

State Highways around Dunedin are slowly reopening this morning after yesterday’s flooding.

SH1 south of Dunedin has now reopened and the New Zealand Transport Agency says the highway north of Dunedin, between Evansdale and Hampden, should reopen by 1pm, at the latest.

“There is 300 cubic metres of rock to move from a slip south of Waikouaiti with many smaller slips on the road shoulders so crews are hard at it,” NZTA Journey Manager Nicole Felts says.

“People need to be aware that crews are working hard to restore roads as fast as they can, so please slow down around them and avoid travel in areas that have been under water.

“The land is water-logged and potholes will develop which require people to take care.”

SH8 inland from Milton to Lawrence also opened this morning, with caution needed.

SH85 Kyeburn to Palmerston is open but SH87 Kyeburn to Hyde (north of Middlemarch) remains closed due to serious damage to a section of highway from the flood water near the Kyeburn Bridge.

SH90 Waikoikoi to Tapanui is still closed due to flooding around the Pomahaka River. A detour is in place.

Emergency Management Otago (EMO) is assessing the impacts of flooding, EMO controller Matt Alley says.

“This is a difficult time for many, keep looking after each other, we know that supporting each other is a strength of Otago people.

“As well as urban folk with flooded homes, we are thinking of our rural communities and their stress as they attend to the welfare of their livestock at what is a critical time.

“All rivers including the Taieri and Clutha have now peaked and flows are receding, although many remain above their high flow alert levels.

“Public Health is concerned that there is now a high risk of a gastro outbreak in flood-affected parts of the region.

 “Because of this, we ask people to ensure they stay out of the flooded and contaminated water, cook with and drink clean water, boil if you have to, and wash hands.”

Check online for roading updates: https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/highway-conditions/otago

Main image: (NZTA / Waikouaiti, SH1, north of Dunedin earlier today)