1. EXTENDED FLOOD COVERAGE - Queenstown usually sits on the edge of a lake, but today it is in the lake. Three days of
torrential rain has caused flooding there, Wanaka, Alexandra and other parts of Otago and Southland.
In Queenstown jet boats are on the street and other houses have been damaged in higher areas by torrents of mud and
flood coming down off the hills. Roads have been cut off.
Lake Wanaka is filled to bursting point and there is water throughout the business area of Wanaka town, roads are also
closed.
Alexandra has a state of civil emergency, 200 houses have been evacuated. Flooding is expected to peak in the early
hours of tomorrow morning. More people are being warned to be ready to leave their homes.
Southland has had heavy rain as well with the Winton area submerged. There has also been snow in parts of Southland
leaving two climbers trapped. One is in an ice cave and it is feared he has severe hypothermia.
Police are warning people to stay indoors with many roads closed.
Weatherman says while the rain is easing the lakes are still rising. Storm lying over the area for three days is now
moving away. 200mm of rain fell in Queenstown in three days 650mm in Milford Sound.
The Clyde dam has had to spill water to relieve pressure creating spectacular scenes.
However in Lake Taupo in the North Island there hasn't been enough rain and many facilities will be unusable unless some
rain fall soon.