Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull says it appears the worst of the severe storm that belted the Otago region has ended - but the emergency isn't over.
The Otago region woke to severe flooding, slips and other damage and multiple road closures after a night of heavy rain and gales that continued for part of Saturday.
Dunedin recorded 89mm of rain 24 hours which makes it the wettest July day on record. Records began in 1918 and previous record was 75.8mm on July 30th 2007. The flooding on the Taieri was the second worst on record, the Otago Regional Council said.
At a briefing at midday on Saturday, Mr Cull said the major issue facing the region now was flooding affecting roads around the wider city.
Overall, about 220 homes were evacuated overnight across the region, from Oamaru to Milton and inland to the Ida Valley. Abour 100 of those were in Outram near Dunedin airport. Several rural properties in Mill Creek were also evacuated.
Some residents in lower Outram, Mosgiel and Taieri were still being asked to evacuate their homes, Mr Cull said.
"That will be ongoing and as risks arise we may end up evacuating more people in isolated areas."
Civil Defence minister Nathan Guy attended the briefing and said Prime Minister Bill English had advised he would deploy the Air Force if necessary and about 300 army personal, due to compete in the Twin Peaks race, had turned their efforts to helping Dunedin instead.
He expected the region would be dealing with the aftermath of the deluge for about a week as king tides continued to challenge clean-up efforts.
"I am here to offer support from Wellington and central Government, I have been talking to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Defence who have offered support on the ground... The Air Force will deployed if needed."
South Dunedin had avoided any major flood damage, which was a combination of the amount of time both the council and the public had to prepare for the deluge and where it fell, Mr Cull said.
He urged people to avoid non-essential travel.
"We have had quite a few instances overnight where rubberneckers have been driving around pushing a bell-wave into people's houses. It is not helpful, they are not achieving anything, just getting in the road."
Otago Civil Defence emergency manager Chris Hawker said the Taieri River was expected to remain very high for up to a week as floodwater continued to come down from the catchment area. The river was as high as it had been since 1980.
Mr Cull encouraged anyone who was needing help after leaving their homes to ring the Dunedin City Council on (03) 474-4000.
