Drivers warned of surface flooding

River levels were last night starting to drop in drenched South Canterbury, but drivers were still being warned to watch out for surface flooding.

Up to 150mm of rain fell in the region's foothills in the previous 36 hours, causing moderate flooding in rivers and streams.

There was extensive surface flooding, including water lying across SH1 in at least 10 places between Timaru and Glenavy, and also on SH82 between Waimate and Kurow.

Some minor roads were closed because of the flooding but there were no reports of rivers breaking their banks or of damage to houses.