Southland farmers struggling with power outages are being urged to reach out for help

Many rural communities are isolated, disconnected and there's widespread damage and blocked roads following Thursday's wild storm.

The Southland region, Clutha and Kaikoura remain in a state of emergency - while it has been lifted for the rest of Canterbury.

Southland towns Tuatapere and Ohai, have no drinking water, while boil-water notices remain in place for Greymouth and Clutha.

PowerNet is warning people in Southland and Otago may be without power until next week - leaving farmers with the ability to milk their cows.

Federated Farmers Southland president Jason Herrick says farmers don't face these issues very often.

He says a 15 minute storm has done all of this damage and caused absolute chaos.