The Timaru District Council says while it is looking at long-term solutions to flooding issues, there was little it could do yesterday to help flooded residents.
Some houses in Canada Street in Timaru were surrounded by water after heavy rain in the afternoon.
The council's drainage and water manager, Grant Hall, said the water had now drained away across the city.
He said the council was aware of issues in Canada Street, but yesterday they could not do more than close the road.
Mr Hall said they did not tend to do sandbagging.
He said the council was already trying to identify improvements that could help the street, such as finding out if there was a bottleneck in the drains.
