Dunedin flooding: Nine properties ‘red-stickered’ amid slip damage

The damage caused by the Dunedin floods includes this massive slip which almost buried a house. Photo / George Heard

Nine Dunedin properties have been “red-stickered” after extensive damages from slips.

The South Island city is in recovery mode after heavy rain led to evacuations and a state of emergency.

Dunedin Mayor Jules Radich told the Herald there have been nine properties red-stickered so far. More are possible as further assessments are made.

Red-stickered buildings may pose risk to health or life, and cannot be used because of serious damage to the house itself or surrounding land.

Flooding in South Dunedin. Photo / George Heard

A state of emergency was declared in Dunedin just before midnight on Thursday as extreme downpours lashed the Otago city, forcing around 100 residents to evacuate.

According to Niwa, by 9am on Friday a Dunedin weather station recorded 130.8mm of rain in 24 hours.

A council worker's truck was caught in a slip but neighbours believe the worker was outside the vehicle, inspecting the area at the time. Photo / George Heard

A MetService red warning, reserved for the most extreme weather events, was issued for North Otago, Dunedin and coastal Clutha from 11am on Thursday until it was lifted on Friday night.

This meant people needed to “act now” to protect people, animals and property.

And while the heaviest of the rain has ceased, locals have this morning been urged to continue to conserve water and stay off the roads if possible.

More to come.

Katie Oliver is a Christchurch-based Multimedia Journalist and breaking news reporter.