State of Emergency, 'It's not over': All roads into Dunedin to stay closed overnight

Dunedin is expected to remain isolated overnight, with all State Highways closed.

Civil Defence Minister Mark Mitchell says the local response to flooding in Dunedin was "outstanding" but urges caution today.

"It is not over, this rain is going to continue."

He urged people to stay off the roads and stay home.

All heavy routes into Dunedin have now been closed and are predicted to remain closed overnight.

• SH1 northbound closed at Wakouaiti 
• SH1 southbound closed at Waihola
• SH 88 closed to Port Chalmers
• SH 85 closed at Palmerston
• SH 87 closed at Kyeburn Bridge 

After visiting the St Clair Golf Club emergency shelter last night, he said about 30 people were there in need of assistance.

He praised the response as "Gold Standard".

Mayor Jules Radich said the situation was "still significant" with a lot of surface water around.

Mayor Radich declared a state of emergency for Dunedin in response to heavy rainfall and flooding in the area at 11.55pm, last night.

Speaking from the civil defence bunker in Dunedin this morning, he praised the resilience and determination of the Dunedin community.

Emergency services and the Dunedin City Council continue work to help affected residents in Dunedin as heavy rain continues to cause problems in the city and surrounding areas.

A MetServiceHeavy Rain Warning - Red remains in place until 11pm.

One of the slips on SH88 today closer to Parry St -  ie not the biggest slip

Following Dunedin’s  emergency declaration  late yesterday, at 1pm one was made for Balclutha also, reflecting the on-going nature of the weather front and its effect on the Pomahaka and Clutha Rivers, which have both risen over the past four hours to 1pm.

"This situation has further heightened the potential for slips across roads and properties, " says Dunedin-based, Group Controller for Emergency Management Otago (EMO), Matt Alley.

 “I ask that people please be aware of their surroundings and that if they feel threatened and need to move, don’t wait to be told to leave – act now if there are rising waters or slips. In emergency situations, call 111 immediately,” he says.

 During the 48 hours to about 10.30am this morning, almost 90mm of rain had fallen in Balclutha while Dunedin city received 160mm; with 180mm around the suburban hills.

Mr Alley says in several areas the amount of rain was further compounded by its washing snow-melt across already sodden paddocks and into already swollen rivers.

“We appreciate this [potential stock losses] is a distressing time for farmers and out thoughts are with them and everyone else affected,” he says.

There have also residential power outages, with Aurora Energy staff working on the lines at present, expecting outages around Cape Saunders, with roads and streets affected Allans Beach Road, Cape Saunders Road, Dick Road, Kaimata Road, McKay Road, Papanui Inlet Road, Sheppard Road.

Residents in South Dunedin, particularly in Caversham in and around the areas near Hillside Road and Surrey Street, are still encouraged to self-evacuate to higher ground if they notice rising waters or do not feel safe in their homes.

Civil Defence Controller Scott MacLean says, “People should stay with friends and family if they can, but we have established a welfare centre at Forsyth Barr Stadium for those who have nowhere else to go.

“We have teams out on the ground helping and transporting people who are unable to travel to the stadium on their own,” Mr MacLean says.

If residents are worried and require help getting to the stadium they should phone the DCC Call Centre and ask for assistance. About 70 people are at our evacuation centres. This includes around 50 who were staying at the St Clair Golf Club."

The St Clair evacuation centre is now closed.

A welfare centre is open at Forsyth Barr Stadium. People can enter the stadium at Gate J where they will be assisted by Red Cross Volunteers and DCC staff. 

Food is available on site. Pets are also allowed if caged or under control.

Mr MacLean says there is significant surface flooding across the city including Peninsula Road and around the Hoopers and Papanui Inlets, and in Green Island, Caversham, and Musselburgh suburbs. There are also reports of flooding in Kaikorai Valley.

There was some rockfall on Stone Street, and our contractors have been out clearing debris where they can.

“We are regularly updating our website and social media channels with road closure information, so please go there for the most up to date and accurate information,” Mr MacLean says.

There has been a landslide between Careys Bay and Deborah Bay which is covering half of Aramoana Road. The culvert at the bottom of Harbour Terrace and Aramoana Road at Careys Bay is blocked and there is significant flooding across the road.

Mr MacLean reminds residents not to go out or travel unless it is absolutely necessary, and to be wary of flooded areas that may be deeper than people realise. Any flood waters need to be treated as a health risk and residents should stay away.

A water pipeline that supplies drinking water to residents of Otago Peninsula was damaged by a landslip and ruptured about 1.30am. The pipeline has been isolated near Irvine Road, The Cove. Contractors are investigating alternative water supply options for these areas.

Residents can still collect sandbags from South Dunedin (Ice Stadium), Mosgiel (Memorial Park/Gym carpark) and Middlemarch (Showgrounds) throughout the day.

“Now is the time for people to look after themselves and their families, check on their neighbours and keep up to date with emergency messaging," Mr MacLean says.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand has deployed its Urban Search and Rescue personnel, including an engineer and specialist drone team, from Christchurch to monitor and provide intel on the situation.

FENZ Assistant Commander Nic McQuillan says between 6pm, last night, and 7.15am today, firefighters attended 34 calls, including helping Police evacuate houses near a landslide in the suburb of St Leonards.

“Fire and Emergency’s Region Coordination Centre was re-activated in the early hours of this morning, and we are liaising closely with Civil Defence in Dunedin.

“We know this has been an extreme weather night for Otago and we thank the community for their support. We ask for patience as we continue to respond to calls today.

“Anyone who feels their life, safety or property is threatened should always call 111.”

Police are not aware of any reports of anyone unaccounted for as a result of flooding in the Southern District.

"Police and other emergency services are working with Dunedin City Council, which is leading the response to the flooding," a spokesperson said.

 "Police, alongside Civil Defence and Search and Rescue teams, have assisted with a number of evacuations overnight, and also assisted with traffic management on flood-affected roads."

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon posted on X asking people to heed advice from Civil Defence.

"I urge all those in the region to follow the advice of emergency services and civil defence who are working hard on an outstanding response to restore infrastructure and support those being affected."

Key points:

• A State of Emergency was declared for Dunedin at 11.55pm on Thursday 3 October. The declaration was made in response to heavy rainfall and flooding in the area - particularly in the South Dunedin area.
• A wide area of South Dunedin, including areas around Surrey St, Forbury Rd, and Hillside Rd, have experienced flooding overnight, with people reporting water in their houses.
• Residents in South Dunedin should self-evacuate and get to higher ground if they feel unsafe. If they have friends or whānau they can stay with, they should go there first.
• People with no reason to be in the area need to stay away unless checking on relatives or helping with any evacuation.
• A welfare centre is open at Forsyth Barr Stadium.  Enter the stadium at Gate J 
• A water pipeline that supplies drinking water to residents of Otago Peninsula ruptured around 1.30am. The pipeline has been isolated near Irvine Road, The Cove. Alternative water supply options for these areas are being investigated.

The Dunedin City Council is recording all road closures on their website.