Wet weather update and road closures - 5.20pm, Wednesday 19 October

Reports of rain easing in the Canterbury region will provide relief to residents watching rising river levels. There is not expected to be any issues relating to high tide this evening.

Motorists are urged to drive with extreme caution following severe weather conditions in Christchurch over the past day.

Acting General Manager City Environment Alan Beuzenberg says the areas worst affected by flooding in the city are those that have traditionally had problems with flooding in the past.

"The Heathcote River has breached its banks in several areas. While roads are flooded, no water has entered houses. Key areas affected are Hunter Terrace, Eastern Terrace and Waimea Terrace. These roads are closed along with Oxford Terrace from Barbadoes Street to Fitzgerald Avenue and Maces Road (Ruru Road to Wickham Street).

“We are very lucky that this has been a relatively short-term weather event. The areas now designated as red zone have probably fared worse than in the past," he says.

Heavy rain and strong winds are causing isolated areas of flooding and trees falling on roads on Banks Peninsula.

We have been advised that the local Fire Service are looking after 35 people in the Little River Hall who have been stranded by flooding.

The Kaituna Valley Road, Okuti Valley Road, the Gebbies Pass Road between Millers Road and the Blue Duck Cafe and Millers Road between Gebbies Pass Road and State Highway 75 are closed due to flooding.

Charteris Bay Road, Governors Bay Road and the Teddington Road are open, but with flooding.

State Highway 75 is closed between Birdlings Flat and Little River.