Flooding, Slips, Washouts, Boil Water Notices – Waitaki District.
Published on 19 July 2022
UPDATE: 12.30pm
The Upper Waitaki Valley experienced a weather event overnight with rain and melting snow in the high country bringing rivers and streams up quickly resulting in slips, floods, and washouts. There are several highway and local road closures. A number of water notices are also in place.
Lake Ohau Road:
Lake Ohau Road is closed about 300m from SH8 with a bridge wash out. This was reported by ECAN at 8am this morning. Lake Ohau residents and visitors in these areas are currently cut off. Civil Defence has been in touch with village and lodge representatives this morning. Telecommunications are available and Network Waitaki has confirmed there is currently power available. Our priority continues to ensure that residents and visitors welfare needs are looked after and to reinstate access as soon as possible.
State Highway Closures:
State Highways from Kurow through to Omarama and south to The Lindis Pass and north toward Twizel are currently closed. Keep an eye on the NZTA website for current updates on highways.
Other Local Roads:
We have localised flooding including a washout by Falstone Road beside the Falstone Camping Ground. Keep an eye on the WDC website for current conditions.
We are working with our contractors to assess damage and repairs will go ahead depending on weather conditions and resources.
Overnight there were a number of evacuations from Omarama and Otematata including the campground with 60 people evacuated. There were also voluntary evacuations from some private properties. Our local Ahuriri Community Board Members, Emergency Services and Community Members have responded to localised flooding in Otematata and Omarama.
Roads in Ōamaru are fine currently however some coastal roads are affected by strong sea swells. Continue to drive with caution.
Boil Water Notices:
Consumers on the Otematata and Omarama Water Supplies have been advised to boil and conserve all drinking water until further notice. This includes water used for food preparation and hygiene purposes such as brushing teeth.
Consumers on the Windsor Water Supply have been advised to conserve all water until further notice as the pumps have been turned off due to high flows in the Kakanui River.
Further water notices will be provided as updates are available. Keep an eye on our Facebook page and website for updates.
We ask the public keep away from any waterways as river and streams may rise quickly. Please keep an eye on the WDC website for local road and the NZTA website for State Highway conditions and updates.
If there are any further reports to make, please contact the Waitaki District Council. Call us on 03 433 0300 or 0800 108 081 or service@waitaki.govt.nz.