Some roads are closed and residential properties have been affected by flooding around Southland today.

Southland Civil Defence Emergency Management Group Controller Angus McKay said properties in Grant Road, Otatara, have had their garages flooded and one has had water inside. However, the water is now being pumped away from the area and various drains cleared to assist with this. No one has been evacuated.

In Invercargill, properties on Bainfield and Retreat Roads and Venus Street have also been affected by flooding. Residents of the Venus Street property have been offered alternate accommodation.

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In the district, there has been flooding in rural areas and  in towns from the Riverton-Otautau area across through Winton, Mokoreta, Wyndham, Gore and Fortrose and Tokanui.

Wyndham Road and Wyndham Station Road are closed until further notice. Contractors are signing as many roads as possible but are stretched in getting everywhere and in having enough signs.

Drivers are asked to not travel if possible and if they have to travel, then be very careful of surface flooding and be aware that not all flooding will be signed.

Some rivers are still rising but no major issues are expected.

Earlier today police asked members of the public to avoid walking around the Taramea Bay and Walker Street areas of Riverton, as walking down these roads pushes water into houses. There have also been slips on Stewart Island and in the Catlins.

Drivers are cautioned there is a lot of surface flooding around the province and care is needed.

Flooding at Taramea Bay, Riverton. PHOTO: Helen Mavor

The New Zealand Transport Agency has this afternoon advised there is flooding on the following highways:

• State Highway 6 between Winton and Mataura
• State Highway 1 between Edendale and Mataura
• State Highway 99 Round Hill and Colac Bay/Oraka

Multiple speed restrictions are in place and caution is advised along these routes.

The Milford Road is open, no further delays are expected today and the avalanche hazard has reduced. Look out for a possible closure overnight Monday, snow is expected.

Environment Southland advised the following river conditions existed at 4.50pm today:

• The Mataura River at Wyndham was 1.39 metres above normal and rising 24 mm/hour.
• The Mataura River at Seaward Downs was 2.34 metres above normal and rising 140 mm/hour.
• The Mokoreta River at McKays Road was 2.87 metres above normal and falling 15 mm/hour.
• The Hedgehope Stream at Rakahouka-Hedghepe Road was 3.75 metres above normal and rising 93 mm/hour.
• The Makarewa River at Tussock Creek was 3.61 metres above normal and rising 213 mm/hour.
• The Makarewa River at Counsell Road was 3.69 metres above normal and rising 274 mm/hour.
• The Pourakino River ds Ermedale Road was 3.26 metres above normal and steady.
• The Waiau River at Sunnyside was 3.25 metres above normal and falling 16 mm/hour.
• The Waiau River Te Waewae Lagoon was 1.73 metres above normal and rising 33 mm/hour.
• The Waihopai River at Kennington was 2.28 metres above normal and rising 65 mm/hour.
• The Waikawa River at Biggar Road was 2.45 metres above normal and rising 31 mm/hour.
• The Waituna Creek at Marshall Road was 2.43 metres above normal and rising 43 mm/hour.

Kingswell Creek in Invercargill is in flood. Residents in nearby Paisley Street have reported flooded backyards. PHOTO: Kimberley Taylor