New Zealand’s deep south is being hit with heavy rain in what is being described as the region’s wettest day in over a century.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand is continuing to respond to flood-related calls in and around Dunedin, with coastal Otago remaining under a red warning for continued heavy rain today.

Rising floodwaters have caused a state of emergency to be declared in Dunedin as eyes turn towards a second rain “peak” this afternoon. The flooding forced more than 80 people to leave their homes overnight as some areas received 74 days of rain in 40 hours.