Updated 5:30pm — A civil defence response has been activated in Dunedin after torrential rain caused widespread flooding.

A Dunedin City Council spokesman said emergency services were now working together out of the civil defence bunker in central Dunedin, to coordinate their response to multiple flooding events across the city, and as the city prepare for high tide at 4.30pm.

Foul sewer contamination has forced the closure of the Hargest Crescent area in the suburb of St Clair. The Dunedin City Council said this could become an issue for other areas.

warm & dry inside, wet & loud outside – Covered @ForBarrStadium and Water of Leith #Dunedin #U20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/Y0yVo1f8aA

— Paul Le Comte (@five15design) June 3, 2015

 

Water in Mcandrew Bay 30 kind ago. Seemed to still be rising pic.twitter.com/RG2OKpiFYF

— Elliot Dixon (@elliotstan) June 3, 2015

 

Otago heavy rainfall update 5pm – click on the link below for details. http://t.co/J4mdPaInRN

— OtagoRegionalCouncil (@OtagoRC) June 3, 2015

 

People in low lying areas of Dunedin please be aware it is high tide now so water levels will be high. Please take extreme care

Otago heavy rainfall update 5pm – click on the link below for details. http://t.co/J4mdPaInRN

— OtagoRegionalCouncil (@OtagoRC) June 3, 2015

#BigRainDN

 

— Dunedin City Council (@DnCityCouncil) June 3, 2015

There are brave souls kayaking the Water of Leith #BigRainDN #dunedin pic.twitter.com/ZrobAglBLv

— Sarah Gallagher (@SarahLibrarina) June 3, 2015

Some pics of our streets this afternoon #dunedin #flood pic.twitter.com/z0grF5MTaB

— Sian Halcrow (@ancientchildren) June 3, 2015

SH1 Very wet! #dunedin pic.twitter.com/bDHLYJaNb4

— Phil Lemin (@phil_lemin) June 3, 2015

pic.twitter.com/IciqCHrK0P

— Vincent (@VinLew) June 3, 2015

Dunedin has just set a new record for daily rain… Over 100mm. And unfortunately another 30 or 40mm on the way! pic.twitter.com/9KG7oqvX67

— Sam Wallace (@BreakfastSam) June 3, 2015

Added a pool to the backyard this afternoon. Kids will love it! @WeatherWatchNZ #dunedin #dunedinflood pic.twitter.com/6gs10LTOzX

— Phil Lemin (@phil_lemin) June 3, 2015

@OtagoLad @PhilipDuncan too late I think Ferg. Southern motorway….. pic.twitter.com/xKqd6TkctK

— Blocka (@blairdrysdale77) June 3, 2015

Sand-bagging has started in Mosgiel and South Dunedin and schools are sending children home as torrential rain, which has caused bad flooding, continues to pound coastal Otago.

Almost 70mm of rain fell in Dunedin in the 24 hours to 11.50am, and firefighters from St Kilda, Willowbank, Brighton and Roslyn are tackling floods in South Dunedin, Ocean View and Caversham.

There are reports of heavy surface flooding in Kaikorai Valley and Forbury.

Roads have been closed and sand bags are being used to protect properties in South Dunedin and Mosgiel.

NZTA is asking people to avoid travelling on the Southern Motorway beween Mosgiel andthe central city.

– Please visit www.NZHerald.co.nz for photos, videos and latest news

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