Central Otago firefighters have dealt with an unexpected onslaught from the weather.

They handled 30 call-outs in just 90 minutes last night from people in Alexandra hit by heavy rain.

Most of the calls were to pump water from garages and basements.

Communications shift manager Andrew Norris says it was a sudden and unexpected deluge.

The region calmed down today, however – with just 2mm of rain recorded in Alexandra since early this morning.

– NewstalkZB