A region-wide state of emergency has been declared for Southland amid heavy rain and flooding today.
Some of the flooding is contaminated.
There is also flooding in parts of Otago, and several southern highways are closed.
- Check highway conditions here
- Weather chaos prompts travel warning
- Water treatment plant flooded in Tuatapere
Powernet is reporting widespread electricity outages across Southland, and said it hoped to restore power by 10pm to most customers.
Late tonight Emergency Management Southland said rain had eased off in the region, but officials were keeping an eye on rivers that were still rising.
Thirteen rivers were under a flood warning.
Emergency Management Southland manager Simon Mapp said Gore, Otautau and Tuatapere were the areas of most concern tonight.
He said although some people had chosen to leave their homes, officials were not expecting to have to evacuate anyone at this stage.
Mapp said it was a developing situation, and he did not know when the state of emergency would be lifted.
In Queenstown this evening, Fire and Emergency New Zealand staff were called to a home in Fernhill after reports a landslide was threatening a house. Upon arrival, it was found the residents had already evacuated and there was extensive flooding around the home.
Another crew was sent to Glenorchy-Queenstown Rd at 7.13pm after a landslide fell, trapping a car. One person was rescued and was uninjured.
Southland Civil Defence Emergency Management said the state of emergency declaration was made in order to ensure it was able to quickly respond to areas of concern following the heavy rainfall that impacted much of the region.
People were urged avoid contact with the flood water as wastewater and stormwater systems across Southland towns struggled to cope with the volume of water. Staying at home and off the roads was also advised.
A state of emergency was declared in Gore earlier this afternoon.
Around 85mm of rain had fallen on the Gore district by 5pm, overwhelming both the Gore and Mataura stormwater/wastewater networks, causing surface flooding and threatening homes and businesses.
No evacuations have yet taken place, the Gore District Council (GDC) said.
This evening the council advised it had temporarily closed State Highway 1, from Broughton St to Charlton Lane, to run a hose across SH1 to pump floodwater from Clyde St to a waterway next to Salford St.
It was hoped the work would only take a couple of hours.
"The team will carry out pumping in 30 minute bursts, then allow traffic through. Our roading team says there are no detours due to surface flooding on local streets.
"Northbound traffic will be held at the Waitane meat works, while southbound vehicles will be stopped on Main St south."
For flood-affected residents, community emergency hubs have been set up at the Croydon Lodge, Gore, and the Mataura Community Centre.
Numerous roads throughout the district are either closed or significantly affected by surface flooding, the council said.
Pedestrians are being warned to stay away from surface flooding from swollen networks because the water could be contaminated.
Gore mayor Ben Bell urged residents to stay indoors and avoid travel.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand said this evening they had had dozens of call-outs to surface flooding on roads, flooded houses, garages and blocked drains in Invercargill, Gore, Winton, Mataura, and surrounding areas.
They would continue to monitor the situation throughout the evening and assist communities as needed.
River peaks were expected to occur overnight and into tomorrow morning. It would take time for the surface water to recede, Civil Defence said.
Power outages affected hundreds of customers across Central Otago today, including in Wanaka, Alexandra, Cromwell, Roxburgh and the Queensberry/Luggate area.
By 8.30pm the Aurora Energy website showed power had been restored to all areas.
About 4.30pm the Clutha District Council advised of road surface flooding in the Catlins and Clinton/Waipahi areas.
A CDC spokeswoman said many stormwater structures were at or close to capacity, which has resulted in water backing up on roads.
Contractors have had reports of flooding across Hunt Rd (Catlins), Slopedown Rd, School Rd/Railway Tce Waipahi, Papatowai Highway.
The Papatowai Highway was in the process of being closed at the bottom of Caberfeidh hill (between Burnt Flat and Mouats Saddle intersections) due to the high river running over the road.
Speaking on the campaign trail in Napier earlier, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said he was aware of the flooding in the South and that NEMA would be providing further updates.
"I'd just encourage people in that region to follow the guidance, keep an eye on the weather report and follow the guidance of the local national emergency responders," he said.
This morning, a general flood warning was issued by Southland District Council.
"Our contractors are getting to as many call-outs as they can, but the surface flooding is widespread and they are unlikely to be able to respond to every report immediately," SDC spokesman Chris Chilton said.
In Central Otago, it was the wind doing the majority of the damage.
Alexandra Blossom festival event manager Martin McPherson said organisers were watching the weather closely.
"We've got fingers and toes crossed that the weather doesn't let us down," he said.
At least six roads were closed due to fallen trees, including SH6 at Mount Pisa Rd near Luggate, and Central Otago District Council is warning of windblown debris making driving hazardous.
Lowburn Valley Rd, Swann Rd, Antrim St in Cromwell, Kelliher Lane and Burn Cottage Rd were all closed but reopened at about 2.30pm.
Further north near Makarora, Muddy Creek has flooded on to State Highway 6, covering the road in earth and debris.
Frances Adank of Waka Kotahi said the road between Makarora and Haast was closed and it could take hours to clear.
Heavy rain is forecast throughout the South today as a major front makes its way up the country.
A heavy snow watch was added to the raft of heavy rain and strong wind warnings this morning.
Heavy rain in the region is expected to turn to snow above 500m with heavy snowfall possible above 700m.
Heavy rain warnings are in place for the headwaters of Otago lakes and rivers, Fiordland, Southland and Clutha.
Up to 300mm of rain is expected in the Southern Alps with possible thunderstorms accompanying lower levels further east.
- additional reporting RNZ
