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Heavy rain and strong winds which swept across the country today have caused only minor flooding so far, but more wet weather is still to come for both the North and South Islands.
North Otago and South Canterbury were expected to be hit hard today but police told NZPA there
was only minor surface flooding.
Civil Defence will continue to monitor the situation overnight and warned that farmers should shift stock to higher ground, motorists should be aware of surface flooding on roads and and residents clear drain blockages, secure outdoor objects and bring pets inside.
Civil Defence national operations manager David Coetzee said officials were not expecting to evacuate residents but were still monitoring the weather.
Nelson-Tasman Civil Defence said the worst appeared to have passed by this evening after rain eased considerably and high winds forecast did not eventuate.
No issues were reported around the Tapawera area, where staff were concerned about flooding following floods there a week ago.
Environment Canterbury said areas south of the Waimakariri River to North Otago were in for heavy rain and southeast gales until tomorrow.
Up to 250mm of rain was forecast for today and tomorrow between the North Otago ranges and the Canterbury foothills south of the Rangitata River, 30km northeast of Timaru.
Environment Canterbury's Timaru flood incident controller Phil Lees said a lot of surface flooding from local streams was expected, and there was a possibility of flooding from larger foothill rivers.
Excavators were used to open the river mouths of Saltwater Creek south of Timaru and Washdyke Creek north of Timaru ahead of expected flooding.
Communities in low-lying areas at risk of flooding, including Pareora huts and Milford, were advised to be prepared.
Waitaki District Council said residents in low-lying areas should prepare for the possibility of evacuation, and motorists should avoid travelling overnight.
More than 100mm of rain was forecast for tonight with another 100mm-150mm expected by midnight Tuesday. A further 100mm was possible on Wednesday.
Otago Regional Council said heavy rain was expected to continue tonight from North Otago to the Silver Stream catchment west of Dunedin, with the catchment peaking early tomorrow morning.
A second bout of intense rainfall around midday tomorrow could take the Silver Stream to flooding level.
Floodwaters could affect a number of roads, including State Highway 1, State Highway 83 and State Highway 85.
In the North Island heavy rain fell in the eastern hills of Northland, and was moving into the Coromandel.
Flash flooding was reported in parts of the Far North, and in Northland river levels were rising.
Further south, 100mm to 180mm was possible about the ranges of Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty, northern Gisborne and Tongariro National Park.
The eastern hills of Hawke's Bay and Wairarapa were expected to have heavy rain and southerly gales tonight and tomorrow morning, with up to 90mm of rain possible.
Heavy rain was expected to ease in the area tomorrow but wet weather was forecast for the rest of the week.
- NZPA
