There was extensive flooding on farms near the rivers, and surface flooding across the Mid Canterbury district with numerous road closures.
Four bridges across the district were also closed as rivers burst banks and carved new routes down from the foothills. Among those bridges closed was the Ashburton Bridge, the main thoroughfare through the town on State Highway One.
The Millers farm is at the southern end of Mid Canterbury, on a 336ha farm at Withells Road near the Rangitata River — an alpine river that was not as affected as the rivers of the foothills.
"We’ve just lifted our heads a bit ... [we’re] out in the traps with moving stock today," Mrs Miller said early last week.
The couple, under their company name MilkIQ, are award-winning sharefarmers who have been in the industry for more than 17 years.
Mrs Miller is also Federated Farmers Mid Canterbury sharemilker section chairwoman.
She said others in the dairy industry held off a bit with dry-off till later, but there was concern for those in the industry moving farms for the new season, which began on June 1.
"We’re a bit worried about the length of time the stock have been standing — repercussions down the line are abortions. Trying not to think about that though — as there is nothing we can do differently," she said.
Mrs Miller said making sure the teams of people on farm were safe and had enough to eat was the priority, although the Millers were also talking to their neighbours and community to see whether anyone needed any assistance.
They had some who had vehicles but were stranded and unable to drive in the wet conditions.
"On our farm the waters have receded a bit ... and the rain has lessened," she said last week.
"Contact is essential."
Federated Farmers Mid Canterbury arable chairman Darrell Hydes said earlier last week a main area of concern was access, with Dry Creek and Mt Harding blocking most the roads around Methven.
Mr Hydes farms along Methven Chertsey Road, just out of the Methven township.
"The only way to get from our home farm to our Highbank blocks [on Monday last week] was by tractor," he said.
"We have had a bit of our autumn wheat scoured out by overflow from a flood chanel.
"But things here are nowhere near as bad as those living near the Ashburton and Hinds rivers — all branches are causing real problems."
He said the surface water flooding around Methven township was not as bad on the Monday, following the deluge of rain on the Sunday.
Since then though residents have been told to boil water due to poor water quality.
Student Volunteer Army founder Sam Johnson said volunteers were keen to return the favour to farmers from the Ashburton district who had helped out after the Christchurch earthquakes.
Students from Lincoln University and Foothill Young Farmers were already working in the district late last week.
