Last reviewed: Wed, 05 Mar 2014 5 March Christchurch storm updates Christchurch City Council weather update: 3pm, 5 March 2014 This page will be regularly updated Residents are being asked to avoid Canterbury Street, Lyttelton, where a retaining wall has been damaged and water continues to flow along the street. More resources are being sent to the area and it is possible people might be evacuated due to safety issues. The approaches to Lyttelton Tunnel are open from both directions as is the tunnel itself. A number of localised slips have been reported in Lyttelton. Staff are working with the residents’ association to find suitable alternative accommodation for people who need it. River levels in Christchurch are dropping with the outgoing tide and as rainfall eases, with a further six millimetres of rain expected to fall over the next six hours. About 4000 houses are still without power, mostly in Banks Peninsula and rural townships. Orion is working to restore services as quickly as possible. “This was a significant, escalating event that moved very quickly from a 1-in-5-year event to a 1-in-100-year event,” says Mayor Lianne Dalziel. “The weather forecasts did not predict an event of this gravity. We were constantly reassessing the situation and managing it as needed. “We’ve seen a coming together of all the teams involved as all agencies are working closely together managing the situation and providing people with the support they need, including the Council, Police, Fire Service and Christchurch District Health Board. “I am very grateful for the offers of full support for Christchurch that have been extended today from the Prime Minister, the Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery who has come to Christchurch today to personally extend his support, and the Minister of Civil Defence.” The Council suggests: People remain at home if they can Don’t use the roads if they can avoid it Make a connection with others for support and offer assistance family, friends neighbors “We are suggesting employers consider allowing their employees to stagger their departure from work, to avoid putting pressure on the roads,” the Mayor says. “As the water is receding, the Council is working on cleaning up the roads, removing debris to help stormwater drainage and watching the situation very carefully. “Our people will be out there again tonight and the community can play their part by checking on their friends and neighbours just like they did during the earthquakes.” The Council will be meeting with the contracting industry today to plan the cleanup. Checks will also be done on the city’s wells and reservoirs to make they remain secure. Teams will begin clearing debris as soon as it is safe to do so to allow surface water to drain away naturally. Main Road into Sumner has severe surface flooding but is now open. Drivers are asked to take care and only travel if it is essential. The community hub in Sumner is open at 57 Nayland Street for people who need assistance. If anyone has any issues to report, please contact the Council on 941 8999 or 0800 800 169 , or email [email protected] The Council is urging drivers to be extra vigilant and mindful while driving today. Speeding causes large waves which worsen the effects of surface flooding on properties. The Council is advising residents, if you don’t need to leave home today, don’t. Water supply Water is being trucked into Little River and we ask residents to conserve water in Banks Peninsula. Waste water We expect to have isolated issues with wastewater systems. This may cause issues with toilet flushing and we ask that unnecessary flushing is avoided. Welfare Centre The Council’s Welfare Centre at Mairehau High School, 440 Hills Road, remains open; 10 residents have made use of the service. An assessment will be made later this afternoon on the need to keep it open. A similar centre has been established at Woolston Primary School. In Little River, a number of people have evacuated to the hall, where there has been no electricity since yesterday afternoon. A generator is on site and welfare provisions delivered. Banks Peninsula Update Slips Lyttelton wastewater treatment plant − the cliff above the treatment plant has slipped and surface water from Sumner Road is flowing from the top of the cliff. This is being assessed now by contractors. Norwich Quay Lyttelton − the cliff beside the museum has slipped and debris has affected the sewer main. The area has been fenced off and staff are assessing further. Duvauchelle wastewater treatment plant − staff are monitoring the site as slips have occurred in the past. Reservoirs All reservoirs across the peninsula are being monitored and residents are asked to conserve water. Specific reservoirs affected are: Duvauchelle − both reservoirs at the are less than half full and tankers are are being organised. Takamatua − Reservoirs are low and tankers are being organised. Birdlings Flat − tankers are supplying water. Little River − low water level in reservoir and electrical repairs required. Road closures affecting ability of tankers to supply water. Wastewater treatment plants Plants at Duvauchelle and Diamond Harbour have been affected and pollution is an issue − warning signs have been posted. Plants at Akaroa, Governors Bay and Lyttelton are all working correctly. Hospitals Despite the ongoing rain and flooding, it’s business as usual at Christchurch and Burwood hospitals today. If you have an outpatient appointment, you’re advised to set off from home earlier than usual to allow plenty of time for parking. At Christchurch Hospital some parks at the rear of the hospital (near the Riverside entrance) have been cordoned off because of concerns about flooding. All elective surgery and outpatient appointments are going ahead as planned. People planning on visiting family or friends in hospital may want to delay their visit until later today when the weather is forecast to ease. Due to weather and road conditions Canterbury District Health Board is unable to guarantee delivery of Meals on Wheels today. Public health advice People are asked to take note of the following advice Avoid rivers and the beaches for at least two days as these may have been contaminated with sewage. This means its not safe to drink water from rivers or use the rivers or estuary for recreational use. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, especially from family or neighbours. Keep an eye out for each other, especially if there are vulnerable people (e.g. the elderly or someone unwell) in your neighbourhood. If you have no power, use perishable food in your fridge first. Keep your freezer closed as long as possible to help keep food frozen for a while. Geotechnical teams monitoring hillside areas Up to 20 geotechnical consultants are monitoring known risk areas. The Council is asking people in hillside areas to be vigilant, and keep an eye out for any telltale signs of mass movement, including: - New cracking to land, buildings, driveways or paths - Existing cracks that get longer, wider or deeper - Leaning or bulging of retaining walls - Rockfalls If you notice any changes, or have any concerns, please call the Council’s call centre on 941 8999, or 0800 800 169 . If you believe there is a risk to life, call 111 and self-evacuate. CERA Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee has directed that the Winter Make it Right Programme is made available to help those with housing issues that will need to be addressed but are not emergencies. The programme has previously coordinated contractors to assist with repairs to earthquake-damaged homes to make them weather tight and safe. People should continue to contact emergency services in the first instance if they have urgent issues. Current significant flooding sites/road closures: New Brighton Rd, Burwood –Queensbury Owles Tce, Seaview−Union Locksley Ave, Gayhurst−Glenarm been sent back to McBratneys Banks Ave, Coopers−North Parade Hills Rd, Warrington−Warden Fitzgerald Ave, north bound, Kilmore−Cambridge Avonside Dr, Wainoni−Torlesse Richardson Tce, Ferry−Opawa Clarendon Tce, Radley−Opawa Aynsley Tce, Opawa−Centaurus Smith St Fifield Tce, all Riverlaw Tce, all Eastern Tce, all Waimea Tce, all Aldwins Rd, Ferry−Linwood Canterbury St, at Days Rd Slater St, Shirley−Warden Warrington St, Hills−Barbadoes Aylsford St, Hills−Westminster Flockton St, Warrington−Westminster Carrick St, all Speight St, all Thornton St, all Archer St, all Squire St, all Harrison St, all Edward Ave, Geraldine−Barbadoes Edgeware Rd, Hill−Barbadoes Dyers Pass Rd, Summit−Governors Bay Summit Rd, Hilltop−Pigeon Bay Rd Pigeon Bay Rd, all Ensors Rd, south bound, Ferry−Brougham Linwood/Woodham Maces Rd, at Ruru Chancellor St Severn St Thames St at Innes Mountbatten St Palatine Tce Waterloo Rd/Kissell St Intersection Barrington St at the mall Albert Tce Minaret Cres, at Crosby St Marlin Place, at Minaret Cres Stapletons Rd, Shirley–North Pde Champion St, Edgeware–Bealey Ave Belfast Rd, at railway line Husseys Rd, at Willowbank Main Rd, causeway down to one lane Main Rd, at Cave Tce Blenhiem Rd, one lane Annex east for 200m Ashgrove Tce, opposite hospital Council weather update: 10.45am Christchurch City Council staff and contractors are responding to issues caused by heavy rainfall over the past 24 hours. A number of communities are isolated, including Sumner and parts of Banks Peninsula. Teams are in the area assessing the situation and will keep residents informed. A full list of road closures is included below. Teams are working across the city assessing the situation and contacting community groups in specific areas for information. Residents in social housing facilities are being contacted and offered support as required. Council warns that floodwaters are likely to be contaminated and people should avoid contact. Anyone who comes into contact with contaminated water should wash their hands and remove and wash any clothing that gets wet. The Council is expecting 50 to 100 houses across the city to be affected by flood-waters, with the majority of them located in the Mairehau/Richmond/St Albans area. Council staff are assisting residents with self-evacuations. The Council is urging drivers to be extra vigilant and mindful while driving today. Speeding causes large waves which worsen the effects of surface flooding on properties. The Council is advising residents, if you don’t need to leave home today, don’t. Water supply Water is being trucked into Little River and we ask residents to conserve water in Banks Peninsula. Waste water We expect to have isolated issues with wastewater systems. This may cause issues with toilet flushing and we ask that unnecessary flushing is avoided. Welfare Centre The Council’s Welfare Centre at Mairehau High School, 440 Hills Road, has been open all night and as at 9am, nine residents have made use of the service. The Welfare Centre at Mairehau High School will remain open through the day as required. A review will be undertaken to assess further needs of the community later this afternoon. In Little River, a number of people have evacuated to the hall, where there has been no electricity since yesterday afternoon. A generator is being sent and welfare provisions delivered. Property damage For people with property damaged by flooding, please contact your insurer to discuss the options available to them. Kerbside collections Normal Wednesday waste collection is still happening but is unlikely in many low-lying areas. Bins will have tipped over and spilled their contents. Contractors will be in the area over the next few days to clean up. Geotechnical teams monitoring hillside areas Geotechnical engineers are out across the Port Hills checking and monitoring known mass movement areas following heavy rain. Christchurch City Council has asked engineers to check these areas and immediately advise residents of any concerns about ground movement or slope instability. Up to 20 geotechnical consultants have been working since early this morning. Emergency procedures will be followed if any issues of concern are found. They will continue monitoring known risk areas throughout the day. At this stage, the rainfall has only caused small localised subsidence. The Council is asking people in hillside areas to be vigilant, and keep an eye out for any telltale signs of mass movement, including: - New cracking to land, buildings, driveways or paths - Existing cracks that get longer, wider or deeper - Leaning or bulging of retaining walls - Rockfalls If you notice any changes, or have any concerns, please call the Council’s call centre on 941 8999, or 0800 800 169 . If you believe there is a risk to life, call 111 and self-evacuate. CERA Teams from CERA are monitoring the situation in the Residential Red Zone and have offered to assist people who needed to evacuate. Staff are also keeping watch for any issues in areas of concern in the Port Hills. Road closures covered by temporary traffic management: Main Road, Sumner State Highway 75 − Little River to Duvauchelles New Brighton Rd, Burwood−Queensbury Owles Tce, Seaview−Union Locksley Ave, Gayhurst−Glenarm been sent back to McBratneys Banks Ave, Coopers−North Parade Hills Rd, Warrington−Warden Fitzgerald Ave, north bound, Kilmore−Cambridge Avonside Dr, Wainoni−Torlesse Richardson Tce, Ferry−Opawa Clarendon Tce, Radley−Opawa Aynsley Tce, Opawa−Centaurus Smith St Fifield Tce, all Riverlaw Tce, all Eastern Tce, all Waimea Tce, all Aldwins Rd, Ferry-Linwood Canterbury St, at Days Rd Slater St, Shirley-Warden Warrington St, Hills-Barbadoes Aylesford St, Hills-Westminster Flockton St, Warrington-Westminster Carrick St, all Speight St, all Thornton St, all Archer St, all Squire St, all Harrison St, all Edward Ave, Geraldine-Barbadoes Edgeware Rd, Hill-Barbadoes Dyers Pass Rd, Summit−Governors Bay Summit Rd, Hilltop-Pigeon Bay Rd Pigeon Bay Rd, all Ensors Rd, south bound, Ferry-Brougham Linwood/Woodham Maces Rd, at Ruru Durham St, Gloucester to Cashel, detour to Park Tce Chancellor St Severn St Thames St, at Innes Mountbatten St Palatine Tce Waterloo Rd / Kissell St intersection Barrington St, at the mall Albert Tce 8am, Wednesday 5 March 2014 Council managing worst rain-storm since 1975 Christchurch City Council is continuing to manage flood issues across the city during Christchurch’s worst rain-storm since 1975. The Council is expecting 50 to 100 houses across the city to be affected by flood-waters, with the majority of them located in the Mairehau/Richmond/St. Albans area. Throughout the night Council staff have been assisting residents with self-evacuations. The rainfall has been a lot heavier than forecasted, with almost 100 millimetres falling in the past 24 hours and a further 20 millimetres expected to fall before the rain eases off. This is equivalent to a one-in-50-year event. High tide today is expected at 10.15am (Kerrs Reach) and both the Heathcote and Avon Rivers will spill their banks in places. The roads around both rivers will be affected. The Council is strongly advising drivers to be extra vigilant and mindful while driving today. Speeding causes large bough-waves which worsen the effects of surface flooding on properties. The Council is advising residents, if you don’t need to leave home today, don’t. Read more... Update: Council monitors flood levels throughout night 11:30pm, Tuesday 4 March 2013 Christchurch City Council is continuing to work through the night to manage flooding issues in low-lying areas across the city. The Council contractors are monitoring the waterways in the upper catchments through the night and assisting residents dealing with flooding in their homes. Weather forecasting is predicting that the storm will continue throughout the night until around 7am, when it is expected to ease. Mike Gillooly, Land Drainage Operation Manager says, “The tide has turned and is on its way out now and things should improve overnight. We will continue to keep a close eye on water levels which we expect to start subsiding once the rain eases up tomorrow morning.” The Council Land Drainage staff have advised that the high tide at 9.05pm did not cause significant flooding beyond what was expected for this type of event. There has been surface flooding in tidal areas in the Lower Heathcote River, Avon River and Southshore. Read more... [ Back to top ] 8:25pm, Tuesday 4 March 2013 Council responds to flood warning Christchurch City Council is continuing to coordinate staff and contractors to assist residents in low-lying areas across the city at risk of potential flooding. The Council is prepared to respond to weather forecasting that shows the storm will continue throughout the night until around 7am, when it is expected to ease. High tide is due at 9.05pm, but the Council reassures residents that this is not expect to cause an increase to flood levels. The Council Civil Defence staff are door-knocking on properties in the Flockton Basin area advising residents of the flood-water levels, the risk to their property and to consider evacuating to protect themselves and valuables.
Posted on: Wed, 05 Mar 2014 02:54:18 +0000
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