Dunedin's Forsyth Barr Stadium becomes welfare centre during extreme weather event

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Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium becomes welfare centre during extreme weather event

October 4, 2024

With the New Zealand city of Dunedin experiencing its wettest day in 100 years, Forsyth Barr Stadium has today stepped in as an emergency welfare centre.

Another evacuation centre was set up at the St Clair Golf Club.

With a state of emergency declared, Dunedin Venues advised that the Stadium “has been established as a welfare centre for anyone who has nowhere safe to go”.

Beyond this, Dunedin City Council set up sandbagging locations at Ice Stadium, Mosgiel Memorial Park, Middlemarch Showgrounds and East Otago Events Centre after residents in low-lying parts of the South Island city, including in South Dunedin, were worst hit by "significant surface flooding" overnight.

143mm of rain fell in Dunedin between 4pm on Wednesday to 8am Friday - more than twice the normal rainfall for October of 60mm.

Residents were urged to keep off the roads due to potential slips and surface flooding as another 40mm to 60mm of rain was expected to fall in Dunedin up until 11pm Friday.

MetService warned the heavy rain could cause threat to life from dangerous river conditions and significant flooding and slips, advising “conditions will disrupt travel, make some roads impassable, and isolate communities.”

Image: The social media announcement that Forsyth Barr Stadium has today stepped in as an emergency welfare centre.

22nd March 2024 - Global environmental concerns highlighted on World Water Day

5th February 2024 - Forsyth Barr Stadium to host All Blacks season opening match

6th October 2023 - Forsyth Barr Stadium events contribute $32.5 million into Dunedin economy

23rd September 2023 - Queenstown rebounds after weather event and prepares to welcome visitors

23rd August 2023 - Rochester’s flood impacted community to be offered ‘time-out’ with ROCHELLA festival

20th June 2023 - Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium ‘ideal venue’ for WXV 1 rugby tournament

30th January 2023 - Aftermath of Auckland flooding reveals four deaths

28th January 2023 - Auckland flood event sees Elton John’s Mt Smart Stadium concerts abandoned

27th January 2023 - Massive flooding event closes Auckland airport and city facilities

20th April 2021 - Super Rugby’s Highlanders to investigate fan injuries at Forsyth Barr Stadium

2nd November 2020 - Forsyth Barr Stadium extends naming rights sponsorship for 10 years

6th June 2020 - Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium ready to claim world first with return of fans

14th January 2020 - Video shows renovation of Forsyth Barr Stadium’s playing surface

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