A local state of emergency has been declared in Queenstown for the next 7 days after a night of torrential rain resulted in the evacuation of 41 homes and the CBD being swamped by torrential rain and debris.
The council is now opening another welfare centre on Church Street in the CBD.
Many schools in the town will not be open on Friday.
Queenstown mayor Glyn Lewers spoke to Corin Dann.
