Untreated sewage is beginning to flow into Dunedin's streets as flooding worsens in the city.
Dunedin mayor Dave Cull gives a civil defence briefing this afternoon. Photo: RNZ / Ian Telfer
A State of Emergency has been declared for Dunedin city to enable evacuations to take place.
Mayor Dave Cull said 18mm of rain an hour had fallen on the city in the past two hours and the stormwater system could not cope.
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The council said up to 800 properties were vulnerable to flooding, mainly in South Dunedin, though the number of evacuations needed was not yet clear.
Civil Defence was setting up two evacuation centres.
The worst affected areas were Surrey Street in South Dunedin, Kaikorai Valley and Mosgiel.