Heavy rain is expected to miss the flooded Taieri and Clutha rivers this weekend, but councils remain on standby.
MetService communications meteorologist Lisa Murray said yesterday North Otago and South Canterbury were again expected to be soaked, starting tomorrow.
"In Dunedin you’ll probably get some drizzle and light rain. The heaviest is expected north of there. It’s also not expected to hit the flooded Clutha River."
However, it was important to keep up-to-date on the forecasts, as they could change.
The Otago Regional Council said yesterday the Clutha River remained high after the deluge on Tuesday.
New Zealand’s biggest river is expected to fall slowly and no rain is forecast for the catchment at the weekend.
The council said yesterday in a statement staff would continue monitoring flows and flood schemes closely at the weekend, with "flood managers and field staff rostered 24/7".
The Clutha District Council said roading crews were working hard to reopen closed roads but users needed to be aware there was "a fair amount of seal damage" not marked by signs. Many areas of the Clutha district had notices to either boil or conserve water. A regional council statement also said snowmelt might slow drainage of the Taieri, which is expected to remain high at the weekend.
"The East Taieri Upper Pond is still very full and is draining very slowly."
A Dunedin City Council spokeswoman said staff and contractors were continuing to deal with issues caused by the rain.
"Flooding has receded, but surface water is expected to remain in parts of the Taieri Plain for some time.
"With more rain expected early next week, the DCC is continuing to closely monitor the forecast and conditions."
Its incident management team was ready to be activated over the weekend if required.
"Contractors will be available to respond to new issues over the weekend if needed, and general cleanup and repair work will continue from Monday."
Firefighters yesterday rescued an elderly couple who became stuck in floodwater on Allanton Rd, near Outram, which was closed at one end.
It followed a series of similar incidents in South Otago which drew the ire of Clutha Mayor Bryan Cadogan.
