• Heavy Rain Watch issued for Inland Clutha and Southland from Thursday noon to Friday noon.
  • Rivers in the region are above normal levels, with no immediate signs of rising further.
  • Farmers are urged to reach out for support due to ongoing adverse weather conditions.

The MetService has issued a Heavy Rain Watch for Inland Clutha and Southland, starting from noon today until noon tomorrow. This alert comes as the region faces ongoing periods of heavy rainfall, which may meet or even exceed warning levels in some areas, particularly around the western ranges of Southland. MetService has noted there is a moderate chance of upgrading this to a full warning if conditions worsen.

High River Watch alerts remain in effect for several rivers throughout the region. According to the latest data as of 2 pm, water levels are well above normal in various locations:

  • The Mataura River at Gore is 2.1 metres above normal and steady.
  • The Mataura River at Wyndham is 1.62 metres above normal and steady.
  • The Mataura River at Seaward Downs is 2.07 metres above normal and steady.
  • The Waimea Stream at Mandeville is 1.81 metres above normal and steady.
  • The Ōreti River at Wallacetown is 1.63 metres above normal and steady.
  • The Makarewa River at Counsell Road is 3.56 metres above normal and steady.
  • The Waiau River at Sunnyside is 2.72 metres above normal and steady.

Residents are advised to take extra care while travelling, as the heavy rain has made many roads hazardous. Conditions across Southland are already extremely wet due to the region experiencing its wettest September since extensive rainfall records began in the 1970s.

Farmers in the region are particularly affected by the ongoing rain. Several organisations, including the Southland Rural Support Trust, DairyNZ, and Beef + Lamb New Zealand Southern, are offering support and advice. Those needing assistance can contact the local land sustainability office at 0800 76 88 45.

SDC is keeping an eye on the situation and we're in touch with Emergency Management Southland and Environment Southland.We're aware that some farmers are moving their stock to higher ground in the Lower Mataura catchment as a precaution. The water is getting high around Fleming Road and Holz Road.We have put up flooding signs in the Waimea area due to surface flooding. Please drive with caution on the following roads:Dipton-Castlerock Road (Castlerock end) Riversdale Waikaia RoadFelton Road, White HillGallagher Road, Mossburn.

At this stage the Central Southland area is unaffected.If you encounter any significant surface flooding over the road please let us know by calling us on our freephone 0800 732 732 or by using the Antenno app.We will keep you updated if conditions change

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