Road users are being urged to take extra care on the roads around the South today as heavy rain makes for slippery surfaces.
Several vehicle crashes have been reported on state highways in the lower and central South Island this morning, an NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi spokesman said.
There had also been reports of slips affecting some highways, including State Highway 88 between Dunedin and Port Chalmers.
The Dunedin City Council says Old Brighton Rd is closed at Jeffcoates Rd and 73 Old Brighton Rd due to flooding.
It comes amid several severe weather advisories from MetService.
The forecaster has an orange heavy rain warning in place today for North Otago and Dunedin, with rain expected to continue into tomorrow. This amount of rain may mean difficult driving conditions, MetService says.
In an update about 9.30am the forecaster said these areas could expect 40 to 50mm of rain on top of what has already fallen, and peak rates of 5 to 10mm/h were possible at times.
Rainfall was expected to ease but was expected to continue into Sunday.
There is also a heavy rain watch for Southland and Clutha, from noon today until noon tomorrow.
MetService warned of periods of heavy rain and said amounts could approach warning criteria, especially inland.
The forecaster said streams and rivers may rise rapidly, and surface flooding and slips were possible.
Road snowfall warnings are in effect from early tomorrow for the Lindis Pass (State Highway 8) and the Crown Range Road.
- Allied Media
