Flooding

The total clean-up cost for flood-stricken Otago will not be known for "days if not weeks" but is likely to be in the millions.

The Walker family's back yard in Queen St, Milton, was completely underwater yesterday.

Heavy rain has eased after five days, leaving authorities to focus on clean-up efforts after flooding swamped coastal Otago.

The extent of the damage across flood-stricken Otago is starting to become apparent as swollen rivers fall and surface flooding recedes.

Key highways are open and river levels are dropping as the wet weather eases in the South.

Flood conditions are easing in some coastal Otago areas as rainfall eases but State Highway 1 south of Milton will be closed until at least tomorrow and the Taieri River is continuing to rise.

Persistent overnight rain has caused landslides, rising rivers and flooded roads across Coastal Otago.

It was business as usual at Five Forks School yesterday as children swapped tales about enjoying the novelty of two days at home.

Queenstown is still counting the cost of the flood mitigation measures put in place during this month's flood alert.

Army unimogs are taking basic food supplies to flood-stranded families in rural North Otago as authorities set out to survey the impact of three days of heavy rain.