As the clean-up continues in Roxburgh after Sunday's flash flooding, there's concern another major storm is brewing.
The town's water supply is still being repaired and residents of the Central Otago town are having to rely on portaloos. Water tankers are providing some relief for Roxburgh residents, as the town's water supply remains switched off.
Urgent repairs are underway, after flooding ruptured a major pipe at the town's reservoir, draining the entire water supply in minutes. The water could be back on tomorrow, but residents may have to rely on portaloos a little longer.
"We'll just keep servicing them every couple of hours or whatever they need, make sure they're clean and tidy for the customers," a Portaloo contractor told Newshub.
The school remains closed and Dunedin fire crews have travelled to assist local volunteer brigades in clearing out driveways. Resident William Gunn was grateful for the extra hands last night, as a team cleared a foot of silt out of his man-cave.
"This stuff's so sticky, it just won't move. We've broken about two or three shovels, just trying to shovel it."
The area's main cherry crops have survived, although there has been damage to early fruit in some isolated orchards.
Roads are still being cleared and the state highway through Roxburgh remains closed.
Contractors are working quickly to clear the tonnes of rock and debris that filled flood culverts, which Central Otago Mayor Tim Cadogan says needs to be done with urgency.
"Part of the reason that's a priority is because there's been forecast of heavy rain again this afternoon," he told Newshub.
"And if that comes in and we haven't got those culverts cleared, then it's going to get obviously quite difficult to get that water flowing through."
Residents are being urged to pack a bag of essential supplies, in case those storms force emergency evacuations.
Newshub
