11:30: The Taieri River looks set for its biggest flood on record. Its currently flowing at 1200 cubic metres, 100 cubic metres above the level at which floodgates are usually opened.
Dunedin Civil Defence Emergency Management controller Sue Bidrose said "The information is that this will be one of the biggest floods on record on the Taieri."
Civil Defence has been ensuring that residents in the upper ponding area have been evacuated.
"They're just evacuating the last of those cattle and as soon as the cows are moved they'll be opening those floodgates."
Residents have also been advised to leave the Henley township, which looks likely to flood.
11:00: The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) has sent nine trucks and 20 soldiers out on Friday evening to help with flood-related events in Canterbury and Otago.
An additional 60 troops and eight more trucks are on standby as the storm continues to sweep across the South Island.
They are able to be mobilised at short notice if required.
10:40: Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher says the Oamaru Creek is higher than he's ever seen it.
10:35: Police are advising people to stay indoors and keep off the roads across the Otago region.
Acting senior sergeant Sam Ramsay says "Anyone driving in these conditions is putting themselves at risk. If you stay inside you'll not only be dry and warm, but you'll be keeping yourself safe."
SH1 between Balclutha and Milton is closed due to severe flooding and slips are coming down in a number of other places.
10:25: Pleasant Point and Temuka Civil Defence Centres will close at 10:30pm this evening.
The Timaru Civil Defence Centre at the Events Centre on Morgans Road will stay open for people who need help.
10:20: Residents in these low lying areas in Timaru have been advised to self evacuate:
- Butlers Huts
- Milford Huts
- Stratheona Huts
- Salt Water Creek - Redruth area
10:05: Dunedin South MP Clare Curran said the situation in Dunedin is much better than in 2015. She said infrastructure is holding out so far, however she is concerned about the Taieri River and Silver Stream.
10:00: Dunedin Civil Defence Controller Sue Bidrose says the Taieri River is rising rapidly.
Those who have evacuated and have nowhere to go can head to the Civil Defence information centre in Mosgiel on Cargill Street, and accommodation can be arranged.
She says council staff, contractors, emergency services and Civil Defence personnel are responding as fast as they can to weather-related problems, based on priority.
9:50: Dunedin Civil Defence is asking residents to evacuate in Henley township, the upper Taeiri ponding area and Gordon Road spillway area.
Approximately 50 households need to evacuate. People who feel unsafe in other areas are advised to self evacuate.
Anyone in need of help or accommodation can call the Dunedin City Council on 03 477 400.
9:40pm: People are warned to stay away from the Water of Leith, which flows through the University of Otago campus.
Flood protection works are underway in the area, and it's particularly hazardous in times of flooding.
Footage from Dunedin City Council shows the turbulent and fast-flowing current as the waters continue to rise.
9:30pm: Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull said the state of emergency in Dunedin was declared "As the situation in Dunedin has deteriorated beyond the resources of the emergency services alone."
Heavy rain has infiltrated the wastewater system in Dunedin, and manhole covers which contain sewerage have been forced up in Surrey Street and North Road.
"These overflows are contained by the roads but people should be keeping out of them because they need to treat them as contaminated water," Mr Cull said.
9:20pm:
Metservice severe weather forecaster Erick Brenstrum said Dunedin has had about 50mm of rainfall so far on Friday, and a further 50mm is expected until 9:00am on Saturday.
"There might be a little bit of dribble but the worst of it should be over by midday," he said.
"Heavy rain is expected to continue in Oamaru until late morning or perhaps midday. For Timaru it's eased off but they might get a bit more, but they won't get as much as Oamaru and Dunedin."
9:05pm: Metservice warns a combination of heavy rain, snowfall and strong winds is likely to cause widespread disruption to motorists, flooding, and slips in central and southern New Zealand.
Heavy rain is falling over parts of Canterbury and Otago. The heaviest falls are expected south of Arthurs Pass and in eastern Otago where a futher 60mm of rain could fall until Saturday morning.
Snow is likely to lower to 400 metres over Central Otago and nothern parts of Southland this evening and to 800m in the south Canterbury High Country.
Severe gale northwesterlies gushing 120 km/h are expected in exposed parts of Wellington and the Wairarapa throughout Friday night, while severe southeasterlies gusting up to 140 km/h are expected in Westland and Fiordland until late Saturday morning.
8:50pm: Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher said a state of emergency was declared in the region in order to get extra resources to aid with evacuations and to help a sick child.
"We're looking at potentially needing to do more evacuations and we had a situation with a sick child at Oamuru hospital who is needing transfer to Dunedin ICU. With the road closed that's not going to be easily done and helicopters aren't flying at the moment. So we're needing to call in the army and use their resources such as unimogs to transfer that child."
Mr Kircher said those who need help should not hesitate to ask for it by calling the emergency operation centre or emergency services.
8:20pm: Evacuations are taking place in low-lying areas of Oamaru, Mosgiel and Dunedin.
Otago has declared a regional state of emergency in support of Dunedin City and Waitaki, which have both declared states of emergency.
Otago Regional Council chairman Stephen Woodhead said "It gives us the ability to call on the resources of the NZ Defence Force as the impact of the flooding spreads."
8:15pm: Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher has declared a state of emergency in Oamuru and surrounding areas, as conditions continue to worsen.
Sandbags and sand will be soon be made available at Eden Street carpark, and those who are unable to get their own sandbags can call Civil Defence on 434 8561.
Oamuru Civil Defence has advised people to stay at home if possible, however if they feel they need to evacuate they should do so immediately.
Those in need can go the Oamuru Civil Defence headquarters on Thames Street opposite the police station.
8:00pm: Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull has declared a local state of emergency. Dunedin South MP Clare Curran says "things are not good on Taieri nor Oamaru".
7:40pm: MetService has released a weather map showing country-wide weather warnings including wind, rain and snow:
7:00pm: The Insurance Council of New Zealand is urging people in the region to be prepared for flooding.
"If you can get as much of your home contents out of harm’s way, secure heavy outdoor objects and park vehicles in garages if possible." says Insurance Council chief executive Tim Grafton.
"We recommend turning off at the wall as many electrical appliances as possible to avoid damage in the event there is a power surge."
The extent of the insured damage for this weather event will not be known for some weeks.
6:45pm: The New Zealand Army has been called in to assist Civil Defence in Timaru.
6:30pm: Wind warnings are in place for Otago overnight.
6:20pm: Christchurch residents in South Brighton and Southshore are being asked to minimise flushing their toilets and not use their washing and dishwashing machines.
City Councillor Glenn Livingstone says anyone who comes in contact with floodwater should wash their hands thoroughly.
5:55pm: The Highlanders have told Newshub they will stay put in Dunedin for the night and travel to Christchurch tomorrow morning. At this stage they are unsure whether they will travel by plane or by bus.
The team's Friday flight was cancelled, ahead of tomorrow night's quarter-final against the Crusaders at AMI stadium. Dozens of other flights, both Jetstar and Air New Zealand, were also cancelled out of Dunedin airport.
5:40pm: Several Otago rivers are “steadily rising” as torrential downpours continue.
The Kakanui, Shag and Taieri Rivers, the Silver Stream, Water of Leith and the Lindsay Creek are rising steadily and expected to continue rising overnight.
A Natural Hazards team will be on duty throughout the night to monitor the situation.
Emergency Management Otago is also working through the night.
Surface flooding is impacting roads across the region, particularly in coastal areas but also on highways in the Central Otago District.
5:35pm: MetService says more wind and rain is forecast for tomorrow.
5:30pm: Around 5000 sandbags have been distributed around south Dunedin and Mosgiel with city council chief executive Sue Bidrose saying they're fully prepared for the worst.
Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull says they have "as many people as we can get keeping us abreast of the changing circumstances."
"There is some surface flooding in Mosgiel and in some isolated areas in south Dunedin, very low lying places where we generally tend to get a little bit of surface flooding.
"Information centres have been established at the Mercy Room Catholic Social Services in south Dunedin and at the Fire Station theatre in Cargill Street in Mosgiel. They can be welfare centres if that's what turns out to be needed in the long run."
5:10pm: Some roads are closed and others down to one lane with flooding and slips on Dunedin roads.
Portobello Rd on Otago Peninsula is down to one lane, and the Dunedin City Council is warning motorists to avoid Hoopers Inlet Rd, which is being "inundated at high tide".
Volunteers have been helping to fill sandbags all afternoon.
5:00pm: Otago Civil Defence says if you've planned a trip away this weekend, "it would be wise to revise your plans", with flooding affecting many roads across the wider Otago region.
Emergency Management Otago has activated a coordination centre, to provide support to Waitaki and Dunedin’s civil defence operations.
Snow is expected in the region overnight.
4:55pm: Multiple flights have been cancelled from Dunedin Airport this evening. This includes both Air New Zealand and Jetstar services. More information can be found on the Dunedin Airport departures website.
4:50pm: The Highlanders are stranded in Dunedin ahead of tomorrow night's quarter-final against the Crusaders at AMI Stadium. They may have to drive to Christchurch instead.
4:45pm: Some residents have been evacuated in Oamaru.
The Waitaki District Council says there is "surface flooding on many Oamaru streets", and two bridges crossing Chelmer St have been breached. Another is likely to breach "very soon".
Residents from a Walbrook Crescent house have been evacuated, and sandbags are being put in place.
4:40pm: Timaru District Coucil says the rural areas are at the highest risk of flooding. This comes after they declare a state of emergency in the area. The urban areas should be "okay".
There are reports of people being turned back at Rakaia, as they try to drive from Christchurch to Timaru.
4:30pm: Chains are now essential on the Lindis Pass, State Highway 8.
4:20pm: Keep off of the roads in Canterbury unless it's necessary, the New Zealand Transport Agency warns.
4:10pm: NIWA says that despite it being only three weeks into July, Timaru, Oamaru and Winchmore have already seen record rain levels for the entire month.
3:50pm: Timaru has declared a state of emergency with rising floodwaters in the area.
The Timaru District Council says there’s “significant rainfall in low-lying areas leading to surface flooding, with the risk of rising river levels”.
“River levels are expected to rise significantly over the next few hours. Any residents in flood-prone areas should prepare for evacuation at short notice. If you feel unsafe, evacuate immediately without waiting for notification.”
A number of low lying roads are closed and people are advised to stay off the roads.
3:40pm: State Highway 1 is closed at Waimate between Horsnells and Old Ferry Roads due to flooding.
Police are advising motorists that there is currently no safe diversion to use and motorists are asked to avoid the area.
As bad weather hits the area, police encourage people to take extra care on the roads, reducing their speed and increasing following distances.
State Highway 77 between Ashburton and Methven, State Highway 79 Geraldine to Fairlie, State Highway 82 Waimate Gorge to Kurow and State Highway 83 Peebles to Pukeuri are also closed.
State Highway 1 south of Kaikoura has reopened. Please note traffic will be convoyed between Peketa and Goose Bay for the rest of the day until the road closes at 6pm. Delays expected if you are using this route.
Heavy rain and wind is buffeting Canterbury and Otago and surface flooding has been reported across this part of the country, with NZ Transport Agency reporting that State Highway 1 south may close.
Significant surface flooding on the road between Christchurch to Ashburton on Friday afternoon has NZTA asking motorists to delay travel if possible.
In some parts of Ashburton, people are being advised to boil water due to the heavy rain.
All flights out of Queenstown Airport, meanwhile, have been cancelled, with some people not likely to get out until Monday. Travellers are advised to contact their airline.
A number of roads in Christchurch and Banks Peninsula have been closed and Fire and Emergency southern communications spokesman Riwai Grace said at least 25 properties had been affected by flooding in the region this morning.
The worst affected have been in Ashburton, Rakaia and Rangiora.
In Otago, flooding has been reported at Kakanui and inland from Maheno.
The NZTA has also warned drivers to take extra care on SH1 between Pukeuri and Maheno where there is surface flooding in parts.
Forecasters are predicting more rain, strong winds and snow that could close roads, bring down trees and blow off roofs on Friday and Saturday.
Local authorities, emergency services, the NZ Transport Agency and Canterbury Civil Defence Emergency Management Group are beginning to co-ordinate their response, according to Environment Canterbury.
Snow is falling in the Lewis and Lindis passes - up to 4cm could accumulate at the top of the Lewis and up to 10cm at the top of the Lindis.
Rain may also turn to snow at the summit of the Dunedin to Waitati Highway on Friday night.
Large waves could also hit the south Canterbury and Otago coasts during Friday and Saturday, he said.
The Christchurch City council says pumps deployed to low-lying areas of the city have been working since the early hours of Friday morning.
In low-lying Flockton, which has suffered flooding in the recent past, water levels in Dudley Creek had not reached the level needed to trigger use of the newly completed bypass.
"We're keeping a very close eye on the situation and have council staff and contractors out monitoring rivers and streams levels and checking that grates are clear," said land drainage manager Keith Davison.
The winter storm is also expected to bring gale-force winds to Wellington and the Wairarapa, as well as Westland and Fiordland
Councils and emergency services have issued evacuation warning notices in multiple regions throughout the South Island as a severe storm sweeps down the country.
Dunedin City Council and Otago Regional Council (ORC) are monitoring the weather closely, ahead of expected flooding later on Friday and overnight.
The most up-to-date severe weather warning issued by MetService forecasts periods of heavy rain until noon on Saturday.
From 9am on Friday to midday Saturday, 150 to 200mm of rain is forecast, with peak intensities of 10-15mm an hour.
Dunedin City Council Civil Defence Controller Sandy Graham said this was a significant amount of rain which has the potential to cause flooding issues, slips and disruption to transport.
Widespread surface flooding is expected in all low-lying areas, including south Dunedin.
Rivers are currently at normal winter levels but are expected to rise swiftly.
Scott MacLean, ORC's Director of Environmental Monitoring and Operations, said those in coastal areas throughout Otago should be aware of the potential for flooding, with a combination of heavy rain and storm surges, and galeforce winds and high tides also forecast.
MetService is also predicting heavy snowfalls in inland Otago tonight and tomorrow.
Chris Hawker, Manager of Emergency Management Otago, said staff were on standby to activate whenever required.
Mr Hawker said those in low-lying areas could be affected by flooding and their homes may be cut-off.
He said residents in low-lying areas who feel concerned should make plans to self-evacuate themselves to stay with friends or family who live on higher ground if required.
Ms Graham said information centres in South Dunedin and Mosgiel will be established to provide information, and could be used as welfare centres if needed.
People are advised to check their gutters and grates for debris to avoid flooding.
The Timaru Civil Defence Emergency operations centre is advising all residents in flood prone areas to make preparations to evacuate.
"We would strongly advise people in these areas to get themselves prepared to leave as soon as they feel at risk, not to wait for any official notification," EOC Controller Justin Bagust said.
- Canterbury flooding
Meanwhile, police have advised caution for motorists in mid and south Canterbury.
Heavy rain has caused flooding in areas of Ashburton, Waitaki and Timaru and the high country.
Roads affected by surface flooding in Christchurch include Avonside Drive, Maces Road, Waitakariri Drive, and Emmett Street.
"We're in the midst of a complex low pressure system and it is hard to predict how much more rain we're in for," Christchurch City Council Land Drainage Manager Keith Davison said.
He said the Council were keeping a close eye on the situation, and have contingency plans in place if the situation worsens.
NZTA have warned people against travelling, if you can postpone travel between Christchurch and Dunedin, they advise you do so.
