The evacuation of trampers from huts in Fiordland is almost complete, with more than 50 people now registered at the Welfare Centre in Te Anau and more currently being transported on buses from the helicopter landing point at Knobs Flat. 

Emergency Management Southland controller Angus McKay said most of the huts have now been cleared including Island Lake Hut, Hidden Falls Hut, Gunns Camp, Big Bay Pike Hut and Pike Lodge. 

Tourists who are in Milford remain at the Mitre Peak Lodge where they are comfortable and in good spirits. 

“The tourists are being briefed regularly and have a good understanding of why they need to remain there overnight. Morale is high and everybody has what they need,” Mr McKay said. 

31 people from the Howden Hut on the Routeburn Track are safe after a landslide hit the hut in the early hours of this morning. Two people suffered minor injuries, which were treated by a doctor on site. 

Southland District Mayor Gary Tong said Emergency Management Southland was alerted overnight that a large slip had come down about 1.30am, causing immediate evacuation of the hut.

A State of Emergency remains in place as the rain continues to pelt down and streams and rivers continue to rise, causing flooding, landslides and washouts across Fiordland. The Milford Road has been significantly damaged.

Some 68 people were evacuated yesterday from various points along the Milford and Hollyford roads and plans were still in place to airlift 195 people from Milford Sound this afternoon. A total of 382 staff and tourists are stranded there but have food and shelter, spending the night either on tour boats or at Mitre Pak Lodge. The visitor terminal at Milford Sound has been flooded.

With Milford tourists and road users accounted for Mr Tong said it was a now a matter of trying to determine how many other back country users might be out there in need of assistance.

"Realistically we don't know where everyone is until they tell us somehow."

Mr Tong, who previously lived and worked in the Fiordland area for many years and has been a member of both the police and search and rescue team, said he had never seen a weather event such as this with such an impact in such a short space of time.

"This has all happened within hours," he said.

"We're keeping an eye on the rest of Southland as well, of course."

Meanwhile flooding throughout Southland is continuing to cause concern, with a number of rivers high and continuing to rise. 

Several roads in Northern Southland had been impacted by heavy rain and people were advised not to travel unnecessarily, with rivers continuing to rise and conditions expected to worsen. 

Contractors are out responding to calls from residents throughout Southland but weren't able to reach all areas due to flooded roads.

A large number of roads were closed throughout the region and people are asked to check on their neighbours as well as keeping an eye on the Emergency Management Southland Facebook page and website for updated information.  

People heading to the Elton John concert in Dunedin tonight should also allow plenty of time for travel, check the road closures and be prepared to remain in Dunedin until roads are clear.

The current list of road closures and warnings can be found here.