A State of Emergency has been declared for Waitaki. Many road closures in Dunedin and Clutha. Snow affecting Central Otago.
06 July 2026
Otago’s councils are responding to a significant winter weather storm that has caused flooding, road closures and rural impacts.
Waitaki District Council has declared a local state of emergency after a localised downpour flooded homes and shops in Ōamaru. The town received 34 mm of rain in two hours between about midnight and 2am this morning. Emergency services have spent the night responding to more than 50 calls for assistance. Waitaki’s Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) was activated at around 2am this morning. About a dozen residents and 4 dogs have been sheltering at the Community-led Evacuation Centre at the Network Waitaki Event Centre. The rainfall is continuing to fall but expected to ease during the day and emergency staff continue to monitor conditions closely.
In Dunedin, up to 160mm of rain fell in parts of the city, causing surface flooding and many dozen road closures around the city and Taieri Plain. Dunedin city council crews and contractors are active clearing roads and stormwater systems. The council is urging people to stay safe and avoid travel unless necessary. Some bus routes have been affected.
In Clutha district, the heavy rain yesterday caused surface flooding and closed some roads. Motorists are urged to drive to the conditions and take care in areas of surface flooding.
Significant snow and ice throughout Central Otago and inland areas means a number of state highways are closed. Road access between Ranfurly and Alexandra, Outram and Middlemarch is being reestablished.
Most rivers in the region have peaked, however rivers in North Otago could rise further throughout the day. Otago Regional Council staff continue to monitor all rivers.
Residents are urged to:
