Current Situation

• States of emergency remain in place for Southland, with the emergency response expected to continue into this week.
• For Winton and Ohai township residents, water is out until 8pm tonight (Monday 27/10)
• Please conserve water and avoid unnecessary water usage, where possible. Users may experience low water pressure, this is until the reservoirs fill up again.
• There may be times when power goes out again as the team work to repair damage. Please continue to conserve water across the district.
• Other wastewater treatment plants are returning to normal but a few still rely on generators.
• Fuel supplies are healthy across Southland. Most fuel stations have power and are operational.
• Good progress is being made to get power restored, but many people remain without power throughout Southland and Otago.
• PowerNet said approximately 6,250 customers in Southland and 2,500 in Otago remain without power.
• Nitrate levels in Gore’s water supply continue to trend downward.
• The number of cell towers still down is 18.

Schools will try to open tomorrow. We do not know the number of schools still without power and may be having issues with water. Several schools had camps planned for this week however, most have been cancelled.

NZ Defence Force presence in Southland – Five Southland soldiers from 2/4 Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment (RNZIR) have been deployed to support Southland communities alongside welfare staff from Emergency Management Southland. They’ve split into 4 teams and are reaching more remote and isolated communities, carrying out welfare checks and delivering information.

Generators

• We are coordinating the distribution and use of generators around the region. We are aware that generators are being shared by neighbours, so it is difficult to pinpoint exactly how many generators are in use and how many people they are supporting. We thank these communities who are supporting each other to get through.

Parks and reserves

• Invercargill City Council has advised that all Invercargill parks and reserves remain closed after last week's weather event.
• While we appreciate some people are trying to be helpful, please don't enter the parks and reserves to help tidy up as it is not safe to do so.

Community Hubs and Facilities open

• Invercargill – ILT Stadium Southland – 7.30am - 8pm, Tuesday onwards. Free showers, power, WiFi and power.
• Wyndham - Wyndham Camping Ground – Open all week at this stage. Showers, laundry, power and kitchen.
• Gore – MLT Event Centre/Multisport Complex – 27 October (today) until 5pm. Showers, hot drinks and power.
• Winton - Lime Hills Rugby Club (in Centre Bush). Showers, cooking facilities, power, water, charging.
• Riverton – Riverton Rugby Club – Open all week at this stage. Showers, water, WiFi.
• Tuatapere – Tui Base Camp – Open all week. Hot showers ($5) and accommodation.
• Tokonui – Tokanui Hotel – Open. Showers, washers, dryers, charging and bistro open.
• Drummond – Drummond Rugby Club – Open as per their Facebook page. Power, charging and cooking facilities.
• Waikaia – Waikaia Pub – Open today until evening. Open Wednesday to Sunday 11.30 onwards. Showers, washer, charging and serving food.
• Waikaia – Waikaia Campground – Open 24/7. Washing machines (coin operated) and dryers (coin operated), showers (coin operated), kitchen/cooking facilities, charging, water. Machines and showers are coin operated.
• Waikaka – Waikaka Complex – 27 October (today) between 5pm and 8.30pm. Showers and power.

Important Reminder

• If you need a generator or have urgent welfare needs, please contact the Welfare Line on 0800 890 127 or email [email protected] with your location and requirements.
• Please continue to check on your neighbours, share verified information and stay safe.
• Safety is becoming a concern due to the large numbers of downed lines, broken poles and trees tangled in lines out there. Please do not try to clear debris from fallen power lines. It’s dangerous and could cause more damage.

Key Priorities

• Restoring power to lifelines: telecommunications, water, and wastewater.
• Addressing community and animal welfare needs.
• Efficient distribution and tracking of generators, especially to critical services like healthcare, supermarkets, fuel stations, and water treatment.

Rural impacts and advice

• Emergency Management Southland continues to worki with farmers to identify generator needs for milking sheds and stock water.
• Generators are available and are being distributed to those in areas where the power is likely to remain off for some time.
• Communicate with your dairy supply company and talk to Environment Southland if you must dispose of milk.
• For support and wellbeing, farmers can reach out to Rural Support Trust: 0800 787 254 and for animal welfare: call MPI on 0800 00 83 33

Fire safety during power outage

• Go round the house and turn off all appliances including cookers and heaters that were in use when the power went off. This will ensure that when electricity is restored, there will be no risk of fire from anything sitting on your stove top, or items left close to heaters.
• Use torches or battery-powered lamps rather than candles if possible. If you must use candles, put them in a holder with a stable base, such as a jar. Keep all candles away from curtains and other flammable objects. Never leave a candle burning in an empty room or where anyone is sleeping.
• If you are using camp cookers or alternative forms of heating, always make sure they are on a stable base that will not tip over. Keep children and animals well away from heat sources.

Weather

• Weather warnings have lifted, but occasional rain and a cold blast is arriving over the next few days, with snow to 400m.
• With a cold blast arriving over the next few days, if you don't have power at your place, it might be harder to stay warm.
• Consider whether you need to source more firewood.
• Preserve heat by closing doors and windows and pulling curtains and blinds.
• Put extra layers of clothing on to keep warm.
• Don’t wait until you are cold because it will be hard to warm up again.
• Do not use outdoor gas appliances such as patio heaters, camping cookers and barbecues indoors.

Health

Please find the latest health advice from Health NZ.

• Food and water are easily contaminated during emergencies, so take extra care to avoid getting sick.
• Washing your hands is one of the best ways you can protect you and your family from getting sick.

Use safe water (boiled or disinfected) for:

• Drinking
• Brushing teeth
• Washing hands, food, baby formula, ice, and dishes

Food and Medication Safety

If power is out:

• Eat perishable foods (e.g. bread, meat) first
• Minimise opening fridge/freezer
• Store refrigerated medicines in a chiller bin with ice packs
• Contact a pharmacy or doctor for advice on medicine safety
• Discard rotting food to prevent contamination
• Save canned food for last

For more information, please visit Health NZ website.