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Source: ONE News -
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Weather warnings are still in place for many places around New Zealand, with strong winds and snow being predicted for parts of the South Island over the next few days.
Canterbury Regional Emergency Management Office Jon Mitchell says heavy rains have already caused significant flooding in South Canterbury over the last few days and this weather may cause more issues.
He says people need to have emergency supplies ready.
Mitchell says food, water, fuel, alternative lighting and communication methods are important.
He says if there are road closures and power cuts similar to those in winter 2006, people could be on their own for up to three days.
Meanwhile, Dunedin police have been run off their feet as snow, rain and hail continues to fall in and around the city.
Driving conditions in the city's hill suburbs are being described as treacherous and police are urging people not to use them unless it's completely necessary.
Three Mile Hill Road is closed indefinitely, while the Northern Motorway is open to light vehicles only.
To the delight of some children, a couple of primary schools also closed their doors for the day
Senior Sergeant Mel Aitken says there have been a series of minor crashes throughout Wednesday morning and she says she is fed up with some motorists ignoring barriers in the interests of fun.
She says they may think they are super-human, but they are putting innocent people at risk.
Senior MetService forecaster Chris Noble says the whole country is pretty much in the grip of a southerly blast.
There's another southerly front coming in behind this one on Friday but it's looking warmer for the weekend.
Desert Road re-opens
Meanwhile, the Desert Road has been reopened after it was closed due to heave snow falls overnight.
Ferry cancellations
Inter-island ferries were not sailing on Wednesday morning, due to the conditions, with one Bluebridge ship requesting a tug to assist with berthing in the strong Wellington winds.
Bluebridge spokeswoman Wendy Pannett said the ferry service had cancelled two sailings due to rough conditions in the strait, and was waiting to see if it needed to cancel more.
All afternoon ones were expected to sail.
For the latest forecast for your area go to our
Weather
page.
