With heavy rain continuing today across greater Dunedin, Otago and Southland, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) urges drivers to stay home unless travel is absolutely essential and they know their route is passable and safe.
“While NZTA crews will be getting out warning signage as fast as they can or closing roads as needed for significant flooding, drivers need to slow down and avoid creating bow waves for nearby properties if they strike patches of surface water,” says NZTA Journey Manager Tresca Forrester.
“Our crews are inspecting the network, including bridges and ensuring any urgent potholes will be managed as water recedes.”
SH88 between Forsyth Barr Stadium and Port Chalmers: Closed due to a serious slip at Maia affecting properties and the highway, as well as several smaller slips along SH88 and around Parry St.
Updates here: https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/highway-conditions/otago/closures/482713(external link)
Please note, the informal detour roads above SH88 aren’t suitable for large, heavy vehicles and unless people have an urgent need to travel, they should keep these routes clear also.
One of the slips on SH88 today closer to Parry St ie not the biggest slip.
SH87 Kyeburn to Hyde (north of Middlemarch): closed due to flooding. Updates: https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/highway-conditions/otago/closures/482674(external link)
SH90 Waikoikoi to Tapanui: closed due to flooding. Updates: https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/highway-conditions/otago/closures/482705(external link)
“Driving will be treacherous in many places,” says Ms Forrester. “Please stay home unless you urgently need to get somewhere. Our crews are hard at work today, getting geotechnical assessments in some places and working with council staff to reopen access as soon as it is safe to do so.”
Please obey any signage and advice on the road: Slow down in flood waters as this causes bow waves into properties and other vehicles.
State Highway updates
Highway conditions for Otago | NZTA Journey Planner(external link)
Local road closures Dunedin and Portobello peninsula
River levels from Otago Regional Council
MetService
MetService updates: National Severe Weather Information - MetService is New Zealand’s only authorised provider of Severe Weather Alerts(external link)
Otago Emergency Management