​State of Emergency lifted for Clutha

The state of emergency for the Clutha District has now been lifted as of midday today (October 6).

The declaration, which was put in place on Friday, October 4, was due to the closure of State Highway, North of Milton, which had caused an overwhelming of services in the Clutha District.

With the state highway now open between Balclutha and Dunedin and the areas of Clutha no longer isolated with roads reopened or detours provided, there is no need to continue with the state of emergency.

Clutha District Emergency Management Controller Stan Leishman thanked the members of Clutha District for their patience to stay home and wait out the extreme weather.

He said there were isolated communities including farmers and businesses that were significantly affected and Council will work with them to support them through the recovery phase.

He expressed his thanks to community volunteers, staff and other organisations throughout the district

who worked together day and night to help each other out in the emergency.

The Emergency Operations Centre would remain open on a reduced capacity to continue to support recovery.