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Southland residents are being asked to stay home as long as possible after heavy downpours caused flooding throughout the Riverton-Otautau area.
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The Waihopai River is rising rapidly due to the downpour, and it is two meters higher than normal. Source: Supplied
A severe weather advisory was issued yesterday for parts of the South Island, as a cold front after strong northwesterly winds was anticipated to bring significant rain fall, particularly around Fiordland.
According to civil defense controller Angus McKay, significant flooding has been reported in Invercargill, Winton, Mokoreta, Edendale-Wyndham, Gore, Fortrose and Tokanui.
Some roads are closed and properties flooded after today’s heavy rains. Source: Supplied
“Drivers should be aware that there is a lot of surface flooding and contractors are pulling out signs and trying to clear any sewer blockages, but they are also running out of signs, so be careful.”
Landslides have also been reported on Stewart Island and the Catlins.
Environment Southland has activated its flood warning system with several rivers registering rapidly rising water levels.
The wild climate caused flooding in the cities and rural areas of Southland. Source: Supplied
Strong gales are also being felt in the southern and eastern regions of the South Island with strong winds monitored by MetService for Marlborough, the Canterbury Plains, the Banks Peninsula and Otago.
Strong gusts of wind have caused problems for firefighters fighting multiple fires in Otago and Canterbury today, with one blaze destroying up to 20 homes in the Mackenzie Basin.
