Southland's state of emergency is likely to remain in place through the weekend and into next week, Emergency Management Southland (EMS) has said.

Southlanders still without power or water, are encouraged to stay with friends or family out of town or in unaffected areas.

Residents should also check on your neighbours, share resources and pass on information where needed.

EMS has also advised motorists should limit their travel to essential journeys only during the state of emergency.

Distribution of fuel supplies is limited across the region so conservation of petrol is recommended.

Many farming communities across the lower South are isolated due to power and communication outages, with large amounts of damage throughout the regions, EMS said.

As power is restored to areas, there will be individual properties or clusters of properties that will continue to be without power.

This might be for a variety of reasons, including faults specific to that address or small area.

If there is an emergency or threat to life, dial 111 as usual first even if you have no network connection.

Most phones will try to connect using any available network for emergency calls. It can take up to 30 seconds to attach to a new network.

Generators and resources are arriving in the region and will be prioritised to ensure widest coverage for critical customers.

Important Information - please read

Southland

• Conserve water notices remain in place for Southland.
• Ohai remains without water, and a tanker is parked on the main street
• Power is starting to return to Tuatapere however the water tanker will remain in place opposite the Four square to allow those still affected to collect water.
• Take your own containers to fill with fresh drinking water at both locations.
• You MUST BOIL WATER from the tankers before drinking it. If you have no power use a gas stove or any camping equipment suitable for boiling water.
• Most wastewater treatment plants are returning to normal however the public are asked to not flush toilets where possible to allow systems to catch up.
• Milford Road remains closed due to landslips.

General & Rural information

• Emergency management centres are working with farmers to prioritise the most critical power requirements.
• Emergency Management Southland is working to gather intel on locations in need of generators for milking sheds and stock water.
• If you need a generator, please call 0800 890127 or email [email protected]
• We will be assessing the need and prioritising locations for these alongside Rural Support Trust.
• Communicate with your dairy company in emergencies and talk to your district or regional council if you must dispose of milk.

Food safety

• After more than two 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.

How to use clean water and keep it safe and clean

• To cook, wash dishes, and wash your hands, you can use water from a hot water cylinder, a toilet cistern (if no chemical toilet cleaner is present), even a spa pool can be used to wash yourself and your family.
• To make water safe for drinking, cooking or cleaning teeth you can boil water before you use it. This is the best option.  Bring the water to a rolling boil for one minute on a gas barbecue or cooker.  
• If you can’t boil water, you can add plain chlorine bleach with NO detergent or perfume.  Add ½ teaspoon of bleach to 10 litres of water or 5 drops of bleach to 1 litre of water

Welfare

• If you have immediate needs, call us on 0800 890 127 to see how we can help you. Please note that this will available between 8am – 9pm.
• Farmers and growers who require support are encouraged to contact their local Rural Support Trust on 0800 787 254.
• If you have no cell or internet signal, please listen to the radio – Radio NZ and local radio stations More FM, The Hits, Hokonui, Radio Southland, CaveFM and Tahu FM
• If you are struggling and need to chat to a trained counsellor, free text 1737 for around the clock support.