The Canterbury region is being hit hard by heavy rain and rising floodwaters. Canterbury Civil Defence has warned of further flooding, dangerous river conditions and disruptions to travel. Hundreds of residents have been evacuated and MetService .
Rivers have surged, roads have closed and there are fears about a coming high tide in Christchurch during what is being called a one-in-100-year downpour.
Ashburton is preparing for mass evacuations as the Ashburton River rises and heavy rain continues to fall.
At a press conference this afternoon, Ashburton
Ashburton readied itself in case the unthinkable happened and its main river burst its banks yesterday. Conan Young spoke to residents as they prepared to evacuate.