The Government has declared the flooding as an "adverse event" for Canterbury meaning $500,000 in funding can be unlocked for farmers and growers. Video / Pool

South Island shoppers will see gaps on the shelves today.

Mop-ups under way already but torrential rain continues to fall.

Surging water puts farmers and their animals in danger across Canterbury.

Rain easing but caution required as rivers remain swollen.

People in parts of Canterbury are being ordered to head to higher ground.

Climate change is why the Canterbury flooding earlier this year was so severe, researchers say. Video / George Heard / Hamish Clark / Supplied

The only way north out of Ashburton is by air - 17 roads shut, four bridges damaged and not passable, Ashburton District Mayor Neil Brown says.

Hundreds of residents have been evacuated and more wait for instruction as rivers rage in Canterbury. Video / Supplied / Hamish Clark / MetService

Civil Defence is going door-to-door requesting Selwyn Hut residents to "evacuate now".

Heathcote River in Chch has broken its banks and next high tide will bring new flooding.

Floodwaters in Canterbury have exceeded warnings "by a huge magnitude", Fed Farmers says.

The Horowhenua District Council is pleading with residents to stop using water as the rain continues to be relentless in the lower North Island. Video / Paul Williams

The cost to Masterton homeowners could exceed $40 million in the event of a flood.

Relief efforts hampered by power cuts, blocked roads and the remoteness of the area.

At least 23 people dead and 20 bodies recovered in Indonesia after surge in bad weather.

Flooding in Rotorua after a thunderstorm on Wednesday night. Video / Supplied

'We're definitely highlighting to the community that major flooding is possible.'

'Rivers in the sky' didn't trigger Napier flood, but did help cause heavy rainfall.

Video footage from a heavy rain event several years prior to the November 9 floods, shows water running down Havelock Rd through to a neighbour’s driveway. Video / Supplied

Heavy rain and strong winds created havoc this morning, with some schools closed.

Some farms received a quarter of annual rainfall in the first three days of the year.

Slips and flooding have closed roads and detour routes around the country.

More than 1000 lightning strikes have been recorded across the North Island.

The South braces for a long night as rain and thunderstorms sweep across the country.

Last month's flood risked lives and left 16 Plimmerton homes uninhabitable.