It is 12.45pm, July 6, and Waitaki District has been in a state of emergency since 4.30 this morning. The area was hit by two months of rainfall in 24 hours. According to the Waitaki District Council website, the Welfare Evacuation Centre at the Waitaki Event Centre remains open “for anyone who needs a safe, dry place to shelter”. Further south, Mosgiel’s evacuation centre has now closed, but Dunedin City Council is still urging residents to stay safe and not travel unless necessary.

For coastal parts of north Otago, an orange rain warning is in place until 8pm this evening, with a further 20-40mm of rain expected. An orange rain warning is also in place for coastal Dunedin north of the city until 5pm, with another 15-25mm expected.

Filmed and edited by Isaiah Tour.
Written and presented by Robbie Nicol.
Made with the support of NZ On Air.