State of emergency lifted in Timaru while other regions suffer

Stormy waters: Daniel de Garnham, of Timaru, makes use of his kayak on State Highway 1, near BP, Showgrounds, during yesterday's storm. Photo / Alexia Johnston

A state of emergency previously declared in Timaru lifted on Saturday.

The Timaru District Council said the emergency operations centre would be closing after 3pm, and that it was back to "business as usual".

The situation would be continuously monitored and emergency teams were on standby.

Residents previously evacuated from their homes returned on Saturday afternoon but boil notices were in place for people in Te Moana, Seadown, Rangitata Huts, Pareora and St Andrews.

Three homes in the Redruth area and seven business premises in Washdyke had been flooded.

A sea cliff erosion at Patiti Point had closed the road from South St.

While weather conditions in Timaru had eased, Christchurch declared an emergency situation and evacuations were taking place in low lying areas near the Heathcote river.

The army had been brought in to help evacuate residents.

The NZ Defence Force was also working with the Otago Regional Council to plug holes near the Taieri River stopbanks.

A state of emergency is now in place for Christchurch including Selwyn, Dunedin and Waitaki.