All rural water supply users are to conserve water because heavy rain has compromised water quality.
Water schemes that have shut down are: Awamoko, Dunback, Hampden, Moeraki, Herbet, Waianakarua, Kaurau Hill, Lower Waitaki, Goodwood and Windsor.
North Otago
The Waitaki District Emergency Management Office has been fully activated.
Roads
Motorists are advised to avoid travelling in all areas. If driving, they must drive to the conditions and be alert to surface flooding on roads throughout the District. Drivers are asked to drive slowly as wave action will wash water into roadside properties.
The following State Highways are known to be affected by surface flooding:
SH 1 - north of Oamaru - closed at Waitaki Bridge - no detour.
SH 1 - north of Oamaru - closed at SH83 junction - no detour
SH1 and SH82 intersection closed
SH1 - closed south of Oamaru at Maheno
SH83 - closed
SH1 - closed at Palmerston
SH1 - closed at Cherry Farm
The Kakanui Bridge is closed
The following local roads are affected by surface flooding:
Closed: Cormacks Kiaora Rd, Springhills Rd, Patterson Rd, Palmerston, Black Point Rd, Grange Hill Rd, Trotters Gorge Rd, District Rd, Windsor Park Rd, Forrest Rd, Battersby Rd, Coal Pit Rd between Andersons Rd & Teaneraki Rd, Whitestone - Five Forks Rd between Round Hill Rd and Kakanui
Valley Rd, Smith Rd, Chelmer St between Resource Park & Parsons Rd, Meek St Footbridge, Stonewall Rd, Weston Ngapara Rd between Pine Hill Rd & Twaddle Rd, Kieleys Rd, McArthur Rd, Sweetwater Ck Rd, Switchback Rd, Herbert Rd, Waimotu Rd, Irvine Rd, Finches Rd, Tunnel Hill Rd, Hall Rd,
Waianakarua Rd between Woodburn Rd & Bowalley Rd, Brookstead Rd, Brooklands Rd, Craig Rd, Needs Rd, Seven Mile, Uxbridge Rd, Danseys Pass Rd, Stock Rd, Island Cliff Rd, McEneany Rd, Richmond Rd, Island Stream Rd at Rail Underpass, Maheno - Kakanui Rd.
Surface flooding: Georgetown - Ngapara Rd, Pine Hill Rd, Weston Rd/Whiterocks Rd intersection, WestView Drive, Cowans Rd, Grove Ave, Parsons Rd, Horse Gully Rd, Test St, Dacre St, Old Mill Rd, Salesyard Rd, Lowther St, French's Rd, Rogers Rd, Serpentine Rd, Kinnimont Rd, Slaughter Yard Rd, Simms Rd, Rocklands Rd, Lake Ohau Rd, Victoria Hill Rd, Island Stream Rd, Kakanui Valley Rd, Stafford St, Hampden, Craig Rd, Shaws Rd, Tern St, Meon St, Whartons Rd, The Dasher Rd, Fuschia Ck Rd, Buzans Rd, Youarts Rd, Steward Rd, Papakaio Rd, Ferry Rd, Gray Rd, Gibsons Rd, Jardine Rd, Elstone Rd, Smillies Rd, Hilderthorpe Rd, Bobbing Ck Rd, McNally Rd, Kauru Hill Rd, WillowView Rd, Muldrews Rd, Newlands Rd, Slaughter Creek Rd,
Extensive surface flooding: Oamaru urban area, Kakanui Valley Catchment, Waiareka Valley Catchment, Waitaki Plains.
Drivers advised not to attempt to travel in or out of Oamaru.
Homes and businesses
There are reports of flooding affecting properties at Richmond (north of Oamaru), and Dacre St and Brent St in Oamaru.
A property at York St, Richmond, has been evacuated.
The Alliance meat work at Pukeuri closed at 10am to allow workers to make it home safely.
The Oamaru Camping Ground has been evacuated and is now closed.
East Otago High School in Palmerston is on standby for evacuees if needed.
Kakanui Hall is the assembly point if evacuations are necessary.
Maerewhenua River is running at 225 cumecs
Waitaki River is running at 800 cumecs
Rivers
Kakanui River at McCones is is flowing at 956 cumecs about 9pm. The river mouth has reopened and it is hoped that will ease the situation as water levels in the lagoon have dropped.
Shag River is being monitored.
Island Stream has burst its banks at Maheno
Oamaru Creek, which burst its banks affecting Chelmer Street and Old Mill Road, is falling
Schools and kindergardens
Decisions on whether to open schools and kindergartens will be made tomorrow morning.
Dunedin-Taieri
First flood alert triggered in Silver Stream and Water of Leith waterways.
People advised to stay away although no immediate danger to property.
Northeast Valley school closed after culvert overflows
ORC warns of potential flooding in Taieri catchment
Water of Leith running very high but not expected to spill its banks
