Dave Stewart and his family may have emerged from the floodwaters safe and well.

The Mid-Canterbury Farmy Army help clean up flood damage across the rural region.

Fred Tito captured the Otuihau - Whangārei Falls in Tikipunga and Omiru Falls, also known as Wairoa Falls, in Titoki around 7.30am this morning. Video / Fred Tito

The extended state of emergency provides reassurance for farmers in the recovery phase.

Temuka local residents are pitching in to help out with the clean-up of the property.

'You're almost reduced to tears,' says farmer calling for more Govt help.

We can't call it a 'one-in-100 year' event, but can say climate change likely contributed.

"A big clean up job lies ahead of us," PM Jacinda Ardern says.

KiwiRail boss says repairs will take days.

South Island shoppers will see gaps on the shelves today.

Mop-ups under way already but torrential rain continues to fall.

Surging water puts farmers and their animals in danger across Canterbury.

Rain easing but caution required as rivers remain swollen.

People in parts of Canterbury are being ordered to head to higher ground.

Climate change is why the Canterbury flooding earlier this year was so severe, researchers say. Video / George Heard / Hamish Clark / Supplied

The only way north out of Ashburton is by air - 17 roads shut, four bridges damaged and not passable, Ashburton District Mayor Neil Brown says.

Hundreds of residents have been evacuated and more wait for instruction as rivers rage in Canterbury. Video / Supplied / Hamish Clark / MetService

Dozens of schools are closed and residents are on standby as heavy rain continues to fall.

Heathcote River in Chch has broken its banks and next high tide will bring new flooding.

Floodwaters in Canterbury have exceeded warnings "by a huge magnitude", Fed Farmers says.

The Horowhenua District Council is pleading with residents to stop using water as the rain continues to be relentless in the lower North Island. Video / Paul Williams

The cost to Masterton homeowners could exceed $40 million in the event of a flood.

Relief efforts hampered by power cuts, blocked roads and the remoteness of the area.

At least 23 people dead and 20 bodies recovered in Indonesia after surge in bad weather.

Flooding in Rotorua after a thunderstorm on Wednesday night. Video / Supplied

He and another man trapped in his vehicle are the first deaths from Australian floods.

Many residents are at 'breaking point' as crisis worsens, NSW premier says.

'We're definitely highlighting to the community that major flooding is possible.'