⚠️ STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARED – WAITAKI DISTRICT ⚠️

Published on 06 July 2026

A State of Emergency has now been declared for the Waitaki District, and the Emergency Operations Centre has been activated.

This weekend MetService issued an Orange Weather Warning for Coastal Waitaki, indicating rainfall was due from Sunday evening and overnight. However, between 10pm and 4am around 80.4mm of rain fell - after much less had fallen earlier throughout the day. The forecast did not predict the much heavier rain which began around 10pm. The average rainfall for Waitaki District for the entire month of July is 50mm.

Heavy rain overnight has caused conditions to worsen, with reports of flooding affecting homes and businesses. Emergency services have been responding to calls about flooding during the night. More than 20 people have self-evacuated, and severe surface flooding is being experienced across the district.

If you need assistance or are stranded, call emergency services immediately.

Welfare Evacuation Centre
A welfare evacuation centre has been established at the Waitaki Event Centre, (2 Centennial Park, Oamaru North) for anyone who needs a safe, dry place to shelter. Access the event centre carpark off Tayward Street.

Pets welcome
Small animals, including dogs and cats, can be brought with you.

Road closures
Check NZTA website for State Hwy closures. State Highway 1 is closed between Seven Mile Road and State Highway 83. A detour is in place - please follow the detour.

Check for Local Road closures here on the Waitaki District Council Website.

Note - other roads might be impassable. Do not drive through floodwater. Floodwaters can be deeper and faster-moving than they appear, and roads may be damaged beneath the surface.  Watch out for slips.

Sandbags
Sandbags and sand are being delivered to the Eden St carpark – people will be on site making them up – we will let you know when they are available for public pick-up.

We know this is a stressful time. Please continue to monitor official updates, look out for your neighbours where it is safe to do so, and only travel if absolutely necessary - Please stay home and off the roads if you can.