This was Sharleen Greer's front lawn in Alexandra after heavy rain earlier today. Much needed rain fell on a parched Otago region on Thursday and a severe thunderstorm watch remained in place. Alexandra was hit by heavy rain early in the evening and it also began raining in Queenstown from late afternoon. Rainfall of this intensity could cause flash flooding, especially about low-lying areas such as streams, rivers or narrow valleys, and may also lead to slips. Driving conditions would also be hazardous, with surface flooding and poor visibility in heavy rain.

Source: Otago Daily Times January 03, 2018 20:37 UTC