The states of emergency for Southland and Clutha remain in place and it is likely the emergency response will continue into next week.

Key priorities as issued tthis afternoon by Emergency Management Southland are:

• Power to lifelines (telecommunications, water, wastewater)
• Ensure community and animal welfare needs are being actioned
• Efficiently distribute and track generators
• Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130J Hercules arrived on Saturday afternoon with staff to support the response and large generators for restoring the telecommunications network.
• Other generators available are being prioritised to critical services initially and then will be redistributed as power is restored.
• These critical services are for waste and drinking water treatment, healthcare services, supermarkets and fuel services.
• There is some misinformation about fuel scarcity in Southland – this is incorrect, there are healthy supplies of fuel, and these can be resupplied as needed.
• Five percent of the nearly 200 retail fuel sites in Southland and Otago remain without power (25 Oct 25). As soon as power is restored these sites will once again serve their communities.
• A reminder to please check on your neighbours and pass on information where needed.
• The rail network is operational. However, railway crossings in Woodlands, Longbush, Rimu Road and Steel Road near Invercargill are out. Signals have been covered and trains will travel at 10kph through those areas.

Rural information

• Emergency management teams in Southland and Clutha are working with farmers and the rural sector to gather intel on locations in need of generators for milking sheds and stock water.
• If you need a generator or have other urgent needs, please call 0800 890 127 or email [email protected] with your location and needs.
• Generators are being sourced and will be distributed to those in areas where the power is likely to remain off for some time.
• Stock water is coming back on in the networks, which will be a relief for our farmers. We are aware that some farmers are out clearing trees and debris on their properties, please ensure you are keeping safe. Power is being restored slowly, if you have a generator that is no longer required there may be others that could benefit so check Facebook pages for community requests.
• Communicate with your dairy company and talk to Otago Regional Council or Environment Southland if you must dispose of milk.
• If you have questions or concerns about animal welfare emergency management, phone MPI on 0800 00 83 33.

Support facilities available

• Foodstuffs South Island has confirmed all Southland stores are trading. Those in power effected areas are running off generator.
• The Wyndham Camping Ground will be open today from 8am to 8pm for anyone needing toilets, showers, kitchen or laundry. It will stay open for the next few days for anyone who needs it. Facilities are coin operated. The address is 135 Cardigan Road, Wyndham 9892. Please keep the facilities tidy.
• Gore Multisports Complex is open and offering free showers for those without power, and a cuppa and biscuit.
• Stadium Southland in Invercargill is open today from 9am to 4pm and has showers available for anyone wanting to travel in. There is a small fee.
• The Invercargill City Library is open from 10am today for anyone who wants to charge their devices.

Incoming weather

• Weather warnings are now gone for Southland.
• We are aware of the upcoming rain and snow forecast. While the predicted amount is not huge by Southland standards, our lakes are already very high and ground is saturated in places.
• If you are out and about, please take care around all of our waterways.
• For further information on rainfall, head to https://envdata.es.govt.nz/index.aspx

Power

• Power is steadily being restored across the region, with the PowerNet crews prioritising critical services and townships.
• Powernet has added extra crews and is focused on reconnecting towns and rural areas around them.
• Where power has been restored, there may be times when it goes out as the crew repair issues – so be prepared for more power outages.

Water and wastewater

• Wastewater treatment plants are returning to normal across the region, but many are still running on generator power. Please continue to conserve water and avoid flushing toilets.
• Gore District Council will continue to monitor nitrate levels. Latest testing shows levels are trending downward and the water is safe to drink.

Food safety

• After more than three days without power, perishable foods may not be safe to eat.
• Eat food that will expire first and eat canned food last.
• Open the fridge and freezer as little as possible to help keep it cooler for longer
• Dispose of food from the freezer which has thawed and been at room temperature for two hours or more.
• When the power comes back on, do not refreeze (and use) defrosted food.

Roading

• State highways are clear but there are some roads which remain closed in Southland, including Mlford Road.