Following another period of heavy rain and strong winds, Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) has set up an emergency operations centre (EOC) in tandem with Emergency Management Otago (EMO) and other related organisations.

The aim is to co-ordinate preparations for – and any response required to – localised flooding. 

The QLDC-led group is using monitoring data from Otago Regional Council.

A statement from QLDC at 1.30pm today (Thursday October 23) said, while a MetService Heavy Rain Warning ended at midday today, lake levels will peak after rainfall eases as streams and rivers drain into them.

Lake Wānaka’s level is forecast to peak at 279.5m in the early hours of Friday morning. 

This is expected to cause flooding around the foreshore but it is not expected to flow across Ardmore Street, QLDC said.

QLDC said businesses should remain alert but no significant impacts are expected at this stage.

Information and advice was provided to local tour operators and businesses near the Wānaka lakefront on Tuesday afternoon via Lake Wānaka Tourism and the Business Chamber.

The lake level is causing flooding on Wānaka’s boardwalk.

Businesses are advised to clear drains, gutters and grease traps; check insurance and emergency contacts; review their Business Continuity Plan and ensure staff are aware; and move vulnerable stock/equipment to higher ground.

QLDC has made sandbags available at the Queenstown waterfront and Kingston as a first priority, and planning for other locations is underway and will be deployed if lake levels continue to rise to a point where businesses or properties are at risk.

A strong wind ‘orange’ warning remains in place until 3pm and road snowfall warnings are in place for the Crown Range and Lindis Pass from 6-11pm tonight. 

The following roads are closed due to flooding: SH6 (Haast Pass) between Makarora and Haast; and Mt Aspiring Rd after the Treble Cone turn-off - there is currently no access to Mount Aspiring National Park.

Many other roads are affected by surface flooding and rockfalls; people are asked to drive with extreme caution – slow down, increase following distances and keep headlights on.

All major rivers have peaked but remain elevated. Grounds are saturated and any further rainfall will quickly translate into higher flows with ongoing risk to vulnerable roading networks.

Find more information here.

PHOTOS: Wānaka App