Rainfall update
Update Wednesday 21 December 9am:
The public is advised to avoid contact with waterways and stormwater today following yesterday’s heavy rainfall.
Rotorua experienced 66mm of rainfall during two hours yesterday, just under 5 per cent of our average total annual rainfall of about 1400mm.
There were some overflows from the sewage system and while this was heavily diluted, waterways were affected including Lake Rotorua (Sulphur Bay and where the Utuhina enters the lake), Puarenga Stream (treated process water only), Utuhina Stream downstream of Old Taupo Rd.
There was also an overflow of treated wastewater from the city wastewater treatment plant with pumps that carry treated wastewater for discharge in Whakarewarewa Forest unable to deal with the amount of inflow.
Signage has been placed along the walkway near the treatment plant and more signage will be erected in the lower Utuhina area due to widesperead surface flooding in areas that drain into that stream.
Regardless of any known contamination, advice from health authorities is that contact with waterways and stormwater should be avoided after heavy rain due to the risk of rainwater contamination from run-off, from animals, birds and general urban surfaces.
Swimming in contaminated waterways can cause illness and should be avoided for 48 hours after heavy rainfall, longer if the water looks muddy or murky.
If you are in an area where there was widespread flooding of sections yesterday you should consider any playing or contact areas to be potentially contaminated so give them a good watering down with a hose and avoid any physical contact for 48 hours.
Land areas affected by sewage system overflows yesterday have been cleaned and disinfected.
As a precaution, if you have had a sewage overflow on your property and have not already done so please call Council on 348 4199 so that we can ensure the area is cleaned up and disinfected.
Clean-up
Crews are out across the city and district today cleaning up after yesterday's rainfall.
Road closures put in place yesterday on Ranolf Street and Westbrook Place have been removed but crews will be on site today to complete reinstatement work.
Crews worked into the night following yesterday’s rainfall, responding to a high number of calls about surface flooding, debris and slips.
Calls received last night (after 4.14pm update):
- Unsworth Rd (#17) – Debris washed onto the road from driveway.
- Tumunui (near Barber Rd East) – Slip onto road. Crew made site safe for overnight.
- SH33 near Maniatutu Rd – Slip on road. Crews attended.
Crews will be out today undertaking repairs, cleaning up debris, clearing slips and inspecting sites across the city where flooding was reported yesterday.
Weather forecast:
There are no warnings in place for Rotorua today at this time. According to MetService showers are expected later today, some possibly heavy.
Update Tuesday 20 December 4.14pm:
Part of Ranolf Street (between Tilsey and Roberston Street) has been closed to traffic. This is due to a burst water main causing damage to the road surface. Infracore has now taken over the site and is working to rectify the problem.
More calls have come in since our earlier update and motorists are being warned to take extra care on Rotorua roads due to surface flooding and potential debris as a result of the heavy rainfall we are experiencing throughout the district.
Rotorua Airport has recorded approximately 27mm of rain between midday and 3.13pm today and Council’s contractors have reported significant heavy rainfalls across the Rotorua district.
The rain is currently predicted to clear this evening but a severe thunderstorm watch remains in force for Rotorua and other parts of the North Island.
Anyone needing assistance should call 111 if it is an emergency, or call Council on 348 4199.
Crews are attending to weather-related calls received by Council.
Calls received as at 3.24pm Tuesday 29 December about flooding and referred to council contractors:
- Totara/Ranolf St
- Old Taupo Rd
- Edmund Rd
- Malfroy Rd
- Ruhikaka St
- Carlton St
- Vaughan Rd
- Hoyte Pl
- Miller St
- Lake Rd
- Victoria/Ranolf St
- Puriri St
- Depot St
- Sunset Rd
- Westbrook St
- Goodwin Ave
- Devon?Hunt St
- Phillip St
- Whakatau St
- Toru St
- Petrie St
- Ruby St
- Hathor St
- Eruera St
- Amohia St
- Kauri St
- Pukuatua St
- Lytton St
- Old Taupo Rd
- Totora St
- Holland St
- Wrigley Rd
- York St
- Wallace Cres
- Haupapa St
- Ford Rd, multiple locations
- Kaharoa Rd
Other calls being dealt with by roading crews:
- Tarawera Rd, near Green Lake -- Debris and water washing across the road
- Unsworth Rd – Debris has washed onto the road from a driveway
- Wallace/Ranolf – Stormwater issue, crew investigating
Surface flooding has also been reported in other locations across the city and at Rotoiti and Rotoma.