Storms batter New Zealand by Jay Wynne
A succession of winter storms have been battering many parts of New Zealand over the past few weeks giving heavy rain, snow and gales.
Heavy rain is still falling and has caused widespread flooding across North Canterbury. Homes have been inundated with water and people have been forced to evacuate. The west coast of the South Island was badly hit by severe gales. Massive clean up operations are underway in Greymouth after severe gales wreaked havoc. Winds gusted up to 100mph (160km/h) damaging houses and bringing down power lines. Roads were blocked by fallen trees and public transport was badly affected.
Around 100 to 150mm (4 to 6 inches) of rain has fallen over parts of Mt Taranaki and the Tarauras over the last 24 hours with more to come over the next few days.
The recent deepening low pressure systems have been moving in from the west across the Tasman Sea. As winds around the low have been drawing colder air from the Antarctic, heavy rain has turned to snow above 1000 feet, giving significant falls across the Southern Alps.
Severe weather warnings remain in place for much of the country as more heavy rain is expected.
