Dunedin’s Civil Defence bunker is being activated, and sandbags are being made available for community use in South Dunedin, Mosgiel and Middlemarch, in response to today’s heavy rain.
The MetService has now issued a Heavy Rain Warning – Red for Dunedin as heavy rain is now forecast to continue until late on Friday evening.
The prolonged rainfall is already causing some surface flooding on roads around the city and there is a risk of more, and slips in some locations, as the weather event continues.
Rising river levels are also being monitored by the Otago Regional Council.
The pre-bagged sandbags are now available at the following locations:
- Dunedin Ice Stadium carpark, 101 Victoria Road, Saint Kilda
- Mosgiel Memorial Park gym carpark, 187D Gordon Road, Mosgiel
Sandbags will also be available at the Middlemarch Showgrounds. We will provide a further update when they are available.
Contractors have been checking and clearing the city’s stormwater systems, sweeping gutters and checking mud tanks in low-lying and high-risk areas in preparation for this weather event. We are working hard to ensure the city is ready and all steps are taken to minimise any impacts, and our contractors and staff are on standby to respond to any incidents.
We are also asking any residents who notice a blocked mud tank near their home to clear debris on to the footpath if they are able to, where it will be picked up by contractors when the weather clears.
More information will be available if required via the DCC website and DCC social media channels, as well as other media.