Incident commander says the worst has passed as heavy rainfall subsides

Heavy rains have battered the Canterbury region over the past 24 hours, prompting emergency declarations across several districts. Selwyn Mayor Sam Broughton declared a state of emergency in Selwyn while 11 hours later, Christchurch Mayor Phill Mauger declared the same for the Christchurch and Banks Peninsula regions.

According to Incident Controller for the Selwyn floods Murray Washington, the rain has started to ease. Murray also says the upper Selwyn River (North west of state highway one) has already reached its peak. However, he warns that the downstream water levels could rise significantly as the floodwaters continue to weave towards the coast.

Throughout the day, emergency services recounted multiple reports of water coming close to or inside properties across Selwyn and Doyleston, forcing some residents to leave their homes.

Mayor Broughton, who has been stranded in Wellington all day due to weather-related flight cancellations, issued the declaration in order to encourage Selwyn residents, particularly those in the Huts area, to self-evacuate. Despite the warning, only about 10 percent of locals chose to do so. Of the 10 percent, just three people sought out shelter at the Lincoln Events Centre, which had been opened to offer support to affected residents.

Even though the rain is set to subside this evening, Washington says the state of emergency will remain in place for at least several more days. 

With eighteen roads closed and others experiencing heavy surface water, many hope drier days are on the cards