The rain which continues to cause widespread surface flooding in Northern Canterbury, is being described by some locals as the heaviest in 50 years.
North Canterbury was worst hit on Thursday with swollen rivers, reports of power outages and railway and road closed.
Forecasters are predicting another 50 millimetres of rain in Canterbury overnight Thursday, with MetService saying most of it will fall south of Christchurch, in particular the township of Rakaia.
The storm has also forced the evacuation of over 100 people living in Amberley Beach, north of Christchurch.
Flooding is anticipated in the area as storm water meets up with the high tide.
District Mayor Gary Jackson, says the residents are being sent to a make shift evacuation centre.
However the wild weather has eased in the Marlborough district, with the state of emergency being lifted on Thursday afternoon.
Rain, river and storm water levels eased on Wednesday night and forecasters predict a continued easing of conditions.
During the event there was no loss of life and only isolated property damage, although 37 people were evacuated in Picton and three evacuated in Blenheim.
Rail and Road closures
State Highway One from Rakaia to Ashburton has been flooded, and although the road hasn't been closed, people are being told to keep off it.
The road between Kaikoura and Christchurch is still closed.
Transit has advised that State Highway One between Blenheim and Kaikoura is open - the section between Waipara and Kaikoura however is still closed however.
The Automobile Association is warning of surface flooding in South Canterbury across all state highways and extreme care is recommended and roads around Christchurch.
There is also significant disruption to the country's rail services.
The Main North Line between Christchurch and Picton is closed while the Main South Line between Christchurch and Invercargill is likely to close soon.
Problems range from slips and washouts to blocked culverts and rocks on the line.
West Coast battered
A massive clean-up is underway in Greymouth after high winds wreaked havoc on the west coast town.
Some of the gusts were the strongest to hit the area in decades, with some residence saying the aftermath looked like a war zone.
The Mayor, Tony Kokshoorn says repairs will cost millions of dollars.
Emergency services were stretched in the region as winds gusted to over 160 kilometres an hour.
Greymouth emergency services received over 120 wind related callouts. Chief Fire Officer Garry Pollock says the calls were all related to damage caused by ferocious winds. He says the 150 kilometre an hour gusts flattened buildings such as garages and sheds and lifted roofing off houses. Pollock says the winds also ripped out fences and letterboxes and downed trees.
Linesmen have spent most of the day restoring power and they are waiting for hundreds of tarpaulins to arrive from Christchurch, to cover homes still left exposed.
Tekapo covered in Snow
It's not rain, but s now that is causing problems in the
Mckenzie Country.
Tekapo woke to heavy snow on Thursday morning. The snowfall closed
the main highway for part of the morning, isolating tourists trying
to make flights.
More light snow is expected to fall on Friday.
Christchurch
A small number of evacuations were carried out at Kaiapoi north of Christchurch on Thursday afternoon. The town has a population of around 9,000 people.
Concerns high tide would cause flooding on coastal and riverside roads in Christchurch have not eventuated.
There was a worry the high tide would increase the levels of the city's already swollen rivers, the Avon, Heathcote and Styx.
However, Christchurch City Council Chief Engineer Ross Herrett says river levels have peaked and are receding, and no banks have been breached.
River levels are also dropping on Banks Peninsula, where some minor weather related incidents have occurred.
Do you have any images or video footage of the storm? Send them to news@tvnz.co.nz
For up to date weather forecasts for your region got to the onenews.co.nz weather page .
For details on road closures visit AA Roadwatch
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