New Zealand Red Warning flood Hororata to Ashburton

* A state of local emergency has been declared for the entire region of Canterbury following heavy rain and flooding. * The entire small town of Springfield in the Selwyn district is evacuated - 42 households, about 100 people. * Residents in the Waimakariri District, in the Swannanoa/Ohoka area have been asked to evacuate immediately as river stopbanks are at risk of failing. * Residents living near Eyre River are most at risk. * Up to 4000 homes at risk of flooding in Ashburton. * Canterbury faces severe floods, power cuts and rising rivers with warnings more rain is on the way. * Police are urging people to “stay home“ amid heavy flooding. * Forecasters say downpours, due to keep going until Monday, could be a one-in-a-hundred-year event