Waimate avoids flooding despite heavy rain

The mayor of Waimate in Canterbury says the area had a lucky escape overnight with the Pareora River holding its banks. Craig Rowley says about 90mm of rain fell in the district overnight with a handful of residents evacuated from the Pareora Huts area at about 7pm on Sunday. He spoke to RNZ reporter Catherine Hutton and started by telling her why they the residents were evacuated.