Flood fears prompt evacuations in North Dunedin

Dunedin Civil Defence Emergency Management is this evening evacuating a small number of North Dunedin residents close to the Water of Leith.

The Dunedin City Council this afternoon advised that Campus Watch were door-knocking affected homes, between Montgomery Ave and Leith St (Central), to warn residents of possible flooding.

Residents were being asked to leave some properties in North Dunedin on Tuesday evening. Photo: Craig Baxter

In an update shortly before 7.30pm CDEM said it was working with Police and Fire and Emergency New Zealand to evacuate residents from about 35 properties as a precautionary measure.

Police ask Leith St resident Sophie Wallis to leave her flat on Tuesday night as the Water of the Leith rises. Photo: Craig Baxter

Evacuated residents were advised to stay with friends or family living in higher in areas if possible.

For anyone needing accommodation, an evacuation centre has opened at Dunedin North Intermediate School on North Rd. By 10pm a small number of people had reported to the centre seeking accommodation or support.

In a 10pm update a DCC spokesperson said neither Lindsay Creek nor the Water of Leith had breached. However, a further 30 to 50mm of rain was expected to accumulate before 10am tomorrow, on top of what has already fallen in Dunedin, so the situation could change quickly.

The Dunedin Emergency Operations Centre would remain staffed overnight and ready to respond to any issues should they arise.

The spokesperson said CDEM was also keeping a close eye on Lindsay Creek in North East Valley. As a precaution, several patients had been evacuated from the Otago Community Hospice to Mercy Hospital.

Sandbags were available at The Valley Project, next to North East Valley School, and at Victoria Rd car park beside the Dunedin Ice Stadium in South Dunedin, and in Mosgiel at the Memorial Park car park.

Meanwhile, Emergency Management Otago earlier asked people to remain vigilant of water levels in their area overnight, particularly in areas more susceptible to flooding, as heavy rain continues.

A slow-moving front has been moving southwards down the South Island today and is expected to continue overnight through to late Wednesday morning, when the rain is expected to begin easing.

A swollen Water of Leith in North Dunedin on Tuesday evening. Photo: Vaughan Elder

Emergency Management Otago Group Controller Matt Alley asked people to check their council websites, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency and Facebook pages for updates.

"Residents should continue to observe boil or conserve water notices and to ensure their household plan, emergency supplies including stored water and getaway kits are prepared.

“We’re keeping a very close watching brief on the situation right across Otago, and are ready to escalate if necessary,” he said.

Emergency Management said areas more vulnerable include, but are not limited to:

• SH1 is likely to close north of Maheno at Kakanui river and north of Hampden at Big Kuri Creek. due to flood waters and motorists are discouraged from travelling north unless essential.
• Mosgiel near the Silver Stream Spillway in Gordon Rd in particular
• Henley township on the Taieri
• Leith St, particularly between the foot and road bridges on the left bank of the Water of the Leith
• Lindsay Creek, near the Hospice on North Rd
• Milton, due to run-off from surrounding hills around Milton
• SH1 at Waikouaiti
• Parts of South Dunedin, for example around Bathgate Park

- ODT Online