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Flooding in Gore posted yesterday. Photo: Gore District Council.
Farmers in Southland are sharing the effects of three days of heavy rain.
The extreme weather has placed the Mataura River at risk of breaching its banks.
Residents in the low-lying areas of Gore and Mataura have been told to evacuate by Southland Civil Defence.
Further information about evacuations available here.
Tweets by Southland farmers are offering insight into the extent of the weather and damage to farms.
Contractor Jeremy Hughes @travelingfixer shared shocking images of a ute and tractor trapped in flooding.
Got sent these by a mate, his boss was moving a tractor between farms and had to do a wee rescue mission along the way. pic.twitter.com/gl7zU44qjW
— Jeremy Hughes - DTC ??? (@travelingfixer) February 4, 2020
Farm Consultant Deane Carson @deane_ag shared a thread of photos revealing flooding on farms (click through to see more photos).
Thread of Southland flood pictures pic.twitter.com/KQQ4rP0lOh
— Deane Carson (@deane_ag) February 4, 2020
Videos shared of the flooding helped to show how widespread it is.
Sharemilker Michael Prankerd @sigalasvacas shared a video of extensive flooding on a farm.
Very very very #moist pic.twitter.com/w02SM6A4cZ
— Michael Prankerd (@sigalasvacas) February 4, 2020
The weather is also being felt in surrounding regions. West Otago farmer Bruce @fairleigh_ag shared a video of a new pond that had formed on his farm.
Today's update....very #Moist pic.twitter.com/6l4dzb72K7
— ?? Bruce ?? (@fairleigh_ag) February 3, 2020
OPINION: Feds Southland 'pres' Jason Herrick and colleagues who continue the good fight against bureaucratic madness on behalf of farmers, have had another win - for now, at least - getting a court decision granting a 'stay' on rules in the Southland Water and Land Plan until changes can be made to section 70 of the RMA by central goverment, somtheing they clearly signaled after the election.
Federated Farmers says it welcomes a recent court decision which granted a stay on rules in the Southland Water and Land Plan until legislative changes can be made by government.
Rural Communities Minister Mark Patterson says the present weather conditions remain challenging for farmers.
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Southland Federated Farmers president Jason Herrick says farmers are prepared for winter grazing every year.
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