There’s less than 10 days left for locals to complete an Otago Regional Council (ORC) flood alert service survey. 

The survey, which began last December and finishes on January 31, aims to discover how best to communicate with Otago residents about flood information and updates.

Floods are the most common Civil Defence emergency in Otago. 

ORC natural hazards manager Jean-Luc Payan says the results of the survey will be used to determine how ORC updates Otago communities on critical flood information during heavy rainfall events.

“It’s important to ORC that we deliver flood information on the onset or during heavy rainfall events in a way that suits our communities’ needs,” Jean-Luc said.

ORC senior hydrologist Magdy Mohssen (left) and natural hazards manager Jean-Luc Payan checking out rain radar information for Dunedin. PHOTO: ORC

“While the survey has been open since before flooding at the start of January, such weather events are a good reminder of the importance of effective tools for informing the public.”

ORC is asking the communities across Otago if they are aware of the flood alert service, and whether they find the service useful if they are subscribers. 

Lake Wanaka was at high risk of flooding in early December 2019, and water eventually made its way across lower Ardmore Street but there was no extensive damage to any stores. 

At Patagonia, which is located just below a sunken courtyard beside Bridgeman Green, clever engineering kept water from seeping into the cafe. 

The extent and location of flood hazard can vary considerably during each flood event, due to variations in tributary flow and sediment supply, and the changing geomorphology of the surrounding environment, ORC said.

“Our role is to ensure that people are getting the right information in a timely manner,” Jean Luc said. 

“This survey will help us to understand if we need to adapt the way we communicate urgent flood information, and how best to do that to meet changing community needs.”

This survey is available at ORC’s YourSay page and will remain open until 31 January. 

Information about flood events and alert service is available via the ORC website and Facebook page.