Rain continued to fall in flood-affected Southland today, with Emergency Management Southland staff keeping a close eye on rivers already swollen from heavy rainfalls during the New Year holiday period. 

Flood warnings remained in place for the Mataura River, where levels were above normal in several locations but were dropping.

Civil Defence Controller Angus McKay said the weekend’s rainfall was working its way out of the system.

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“Obviously we are still getting a wee bit of rain at the moment but there’s no problems that I am aware of at the moment,” he said at 3pm.

Some roads remain closed around the district, with the Southland District Council posting regular updates on its Facebook site.

Mr McKay said quite a few roads had been damaged by flood debris and were affected by surface water.

He was aware of farms in the Waikaia Valley now working with the Southland Rural Support Trust to get help repairing fences for the second time in a year. 

Waikaia Valley farms were extensively damaged in the February 2020 floods.

A spokesperson from the Rural Support Trust could not be contacted yesterday. 

The Ardlussa Community Board has posted flood photos and advisories on its Facebook page.

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The Southland District Council reported several roads are now open (with caution signs) including Piano Flat Road, Argyle Road, Willington Street, Waikaia, Riversdale Waikaia Road, Pyramid Waiparu Road, Pyramid Bridge, Nokomai Road, Taramoa-West Plains Road, and Riverton-Otautau Road.

Block Road, Waikaia will remain closed for approximately two-three days for repairs.

Closed roads today were McLean Road, Garston, Mataura Island Titiroa Road, Tokanui Gorge Road Highway between Gorge Road and the Titiroa Stream, Fleming Road, Coal Pit Road, Edendale, Island-Edendale Road near the intersection with Mataura Island Road, 

The Gore District Council reported several road closures this morning due to recent flooding, including River Road - from Heaps Rd to Old Coach Road (SH93), Pyramid Bridge, Woolwich Street, River Street - from Hyde St to Salford St. These roads could reopen later today.

Gore roads now open are MacGibbon Road, River Terrace, and Ontario Street.

Environment Southland advises the following river information as at 4:09pm today: 

The Mataura River at Pyramid was 1.14 metres above normal and falling 22 mm/hour.

The Mataura River at Wyndham was 1.74 metres above normal and falling 115 mm/hour.

The Mataura River at Seaward Downs was 2.78 metres above normal and falling 119 mm/hour.