More floods possible for South Island

The MetService is forecasting between 40mm and 70mm of rain in the Waitaki district overnight. File photo / Dean Purcell

Further flooding is possible for the South Island's sodden Waitaki district, where 1000 people remain without drinking water and authorities have yet to get a clear idea of the cost of fixing the damage inflicted so far.

The weather started to ease and heavy snow fall had passed, so the high elevation highways were open again this afternoon.

But the MetService is now forecasting between 40mm and 70mm of rain in the region overnight, on top of yesterday's snow and heavy rain earlier in the week.

Coastal Otago rivers were not likely to rise as much as they had, but water running off the sodden ground could create problems.

Floodwaters had contaminated water intakes, and supplies were running low for about 1000 rural residents who were without tap water, Waitaki Civil Defence spokeswoman Rowan Carroll said.

People on all rural water supply schemes had been asked to conserve water.

A water tanker was being used to help out people with the most immediate need. New Zealand Dairies at Studholme, north of Oamaru, was also providing three 17,000-litre tankers of drinking water, with two available tonight for people to fill containers from and the third available tomorrow morning.

Fifty roads remained closed, and would be reassessed tomorrow, Ms Carroll said.

However, the extent of damage to roads would not be clear for some weeks, and it would be some months before repairs were completed.

The cost of fixing up the flood damage would be in the millions of dollars, but it was too early to know exactly how much, she said.

Such extensive flooding was very rare.

"We sometimes have flooding events that last for two days, but we're into four now - they did say early on that this is a one in 100 year event, and I believe that."

There was no word on thieves who had taken warning signs from flooded and closed roads around Oamaru.

Over the weekend, severe southerly gales and heavy rain are possible for Wellington and Wairarapa late on Saturday and into Sunday morning.

Some snow is expected at high levels in eastern Otago and south Canterbury tonight and tomorrow.

- NZPA