Roads in and out of a small community in Otago will be closed for up to three more days as flooding recedes after heavy rain drenched the region.
Clutha River is at high levels after heavy rain drenched the region for the past two days. Photo: RNZ / Jonathon Mitchell
The region has been drenched by heavy rain since Tuesday, causing road blocks, and a boil water notice to be issued to some areas. However the Clutha and Taieri Rivers are now slowly dropping.
Clutha District Mayor Bryan Cadogan said authorities would be out assessing the damage today.
The clean up was in the early stages because the river levels were still high, he said.
A heavy rain watch is no longer in place, but further showers are expected over the coming days.
Authorities say they've been in touch with people in Henley, south of Dunedin, where road access has been cut, and they have enough food to get them through.
Paddocks near Henley are now covered by dirty, brown water.
The Otago Regional Council said it was geared up for a 24/7 operation to oversee any problems related to the weather, right into next week if need be.
A road to Henley is cut off after heavy rain flooded Otago. Photo: RNZ / Jonathon Mitchell
MetService said clouds over Otago would break up this morning and the drying could begin.
"I was just praying for the rain to go away" - Henley resident Martin Weir
Henley resident Martin Weir told Morning Report he had to get up at 3am yesterday to ensure everything that might need moving was high up and the waters were not breaching the banks.
"It's over the road outside home now. You can't move in or out.
Meanwhile, he said he had his sheep on high ground in case he couldn't get through to them for a while.
Although there was a dip in the land of property and that usually flooded, he said it was deeper than usual this time around.
Clutha District Council is advising motorists that many roads will remain closed until water levels and damage are inspected.
They also warned motorists to be cautious as not all of the damage will be signposted.
The area at Tuapeka Mouth Ferry has been damaged after severe flooding and heavy rainfall. Photo: RNZ / Jonathon Mitchell
Otago Regional Council said the Clutha River had not had river flows like this since 1999.
Otago Civil Defence and Emergency said KiwiRail yesterday installed the flood barrier where the main trunk passes through the Balclutha stopbanks.
MetService said the forecast during Sunday and Monday for Canterbury, North Otago and Dunedin, could see significant rainfall.
It said there was moderate confidence that the rainfall would reach warning amounts in some areas during that period.
Local roads reopened:
- Owaka Highway - Finegand to Balclutha now open with care
- Kaitangata Highway - Balclutha to Stirling now open with care
- Rongahere Rd - one lane closed due to slips and trees but travel with care due to further trees possibly appearing on the road overnight