Flood warnings lifted
Flood warnings were deactivated in Southland yesterday afternoon as water levels began receding.
However, with surface flooding still affecting parts of the region, Emergency Management Southland has been urging people to be careful around floodwaters.
Roads around the Gore District have reopened.
The Southland District Council was still reporting closures yesterday on Fleming Rd, and Mataura Island Titiroa Rd from Titiroa Pine Bush Rd to Oakland Rd. Speed limits were in place on Taramoa West Plains Rd where the council was repairing holes.
Various Southland roads have been closed since Tuesday after heavy rains caused rivers to rise rapidly.
Environment Southland had activated flood warnings for the Aparima, Waikaia, Mataura and Oreti rivers on Monday.
Regional council monitoring and evaluation team leader Darren May said yesterday afternoon that these rivers had all dropped below alert thresholds during the day.
Emergency Management Southland group manager and controller Simon Mapp said it was important to know that debris could be moved around by floods and that murky water could be hiding dangers such as potholes.
‘‘You don’t know what’s underneath that water. Just be careful,’’ he said.
MetService meteorologist Luis Fernandes said Kiwis could expect calmer weather going into the weekend.
‘‘Once this low moves away overnight, a ridge of high pressure moves over the country, and we expect a much calmer day on Friday with just a few showers for the eastern parts of New Zealand,’’ he said.
Fine conditions with southeasterlies are forecast for Southland tomorrow and Sunday. However, a low developing over the Tasman is likely to bring wet weather back to the region early next week.