Clutha is also being hit by the bad weather, causing major problems on the south-western corner of the South Island

Fiordland is in a state of emergency and hundreds are trapped in and around Milford.

Heavy rain in the Clutha District has kept council contractors busy overnight, checking local roads.

At lease eight roads are closed and another 11 are flooded on the surface or experiencing damage from surface flooding.

The Clutha District Council says there's extensive flooding throughout the district and they don't yet know just how many roads are impacted.

They urge all drivers to take care and remain vigilant.