Emergency Management Southland Monday 27 Oct

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 until the reservoirs fill up again.
There may be times when power goes out again as teams work to repair damage, so 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 restore power, 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. The number of schools still without power or experiencing water issues is unknown. Several schools had camps planned for this week; 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 four 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 charging.
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 (Centre Bush). Showers, cooking facilities, power, water and charging.
Riverton – Riverton Rugby Club – Open all week at this stage. Showers, water and 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. Wednesday–Sunday from 11.30am onwards. Showers, washer, charging and serving food.
Waikaia – Waikaia Campground – Open 24/7. Coin-operated washing machines, dryers and showers, plus kitchen/cooking facilities, charging and water.
Waikaka – Waikaka Complex – 27 October (today) between 5pm–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. 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 work with farmers to identify generator needs for milking sheds and stock water.
Generators are available and being distributed to those in areas where 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. Cows can go up to a week without milking with minimal impact. When milking resumes, ensure full milk-out to avoid mastitis.
For support and wellbeing, farmers can reach out to Rural Support Trust: 0800 787 254 and for animal welfare: MPI 0800 00 83 33.

Fire Safety During Power Outage
Go around the house and turn off all appliances including cookers and heaters that were in use when the power went off. This ensures that when electricity is restored there will be no risk of fire from items left on stoves or close to heaters.
Use torches or battery-powered lamps rather than candles if possible. If you must use candles, put them in a stable holder such as a jar, keep them away from flammable materials and never leave them unattended.
If using camp cookers or alternative heating, make sure they’re on a stable base that won’t tip over. Keep children and animals well away from heat sources.

Weather
Weather warnings have lifted, but occasional rain and a cold blast is expected over the next few days, with snow to 400m.
If you don’t have power, it may be harder to stay warm. Consider sourcing more firewood and preserve heat by closing doors, windows and pulling curtains.
Layer up with warm clothing and don’t wait until you feel cold — it’s harder to warm up again.
Do not use outdoor gas appliances such as patio heaters, camping cookers or 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 to protect yourself and your family.
Use safe (boiled or disinfected) water 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 the 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, visit the Health NZ website.