Foothill rivers of South Canterbury/ North Otago update 7.00am, Tuesday May 25

60-80 mm of rain has fallen in the South Canterbury foothills up until 6 am this morning, May 25. Rainfall intensities to date have been low with only surface flooding reported and river levels have not yet started to rise significantly, says Environment Canterbury Flood Controller Graham Sullivan, based in Timaru.

A total of 200-250mm of rain is forecast up to midday Wednesday for the South Canterbury foothills south of the Rangitata River to North Otago.

Rainfall intensities are expected to increase from mid morning Tuesday and this will result in river levels rising Tuesday afternoon. Based on the weather forecast, flooding from foothill rivers is possible as the forecast rainfall totals are extreme, Mr Sullivan says.

Farmers who have not already shifted stock from low lying areas should do so as soon as possible and monitor their river situation very closely.

For more about the latest river flows call the Environment Canterbury 24 Hour River Report Info Line 0900 RIVER (74837). Charges do apply.

Or you can check river levels and rain recorders:
http://ecan.govt.nz/services/online-services/monitoring/river-flows/
http://ecan.govt.nz/services/online-services/monitoring/rainfall/

Environment Canterbury will continue monitoring rain and river flows from its network of rain and river flow recorders and advising local emergency services and Civil Defence Emergency Managers.

For more about the latest river flows call the Environment Canterbury 24 Hour River Report Info Line 0900 RIVER (74837). Charges do apply.

Or you can check river levels and rain recorders on our website – www.ecan.govt.nz
http://ecan.govt.nz/services/online-services/monitoring/river-flows/pages/default.aspx
http://ecan.govt.nz/services/online-services/monitoring/rainfall/Pages/Default.aspx

Rain radar map:
http://www.metservice.com/national/maps-rain-radar/rain-radar/all-nz-rain-last-6-hrs or for general forecasts www.metservice.com