The storm that has ravaged the country this week refuses to let go of its grip on parts of the mainland.

Further rain overnight and this morning in Canterbury and North Otago has some residents still somewhat nervous about river levels and floodwaters.

North Canterbury was hardest hit by the storm yesterday with small scale evacuations taking place in Amberley, Amberley beach and Sefton.

Kaiapoi escaped evacuation when the high tide peaked mid afternoon and rumours that the Waimakariri bridge were to close, were unfounded.

State highway one remained closed overnight between Cheviot and Kaikoura and also in North Otago between Maheno and Oamaru due to flooding.Rail was also affected north of Christchurch with the closure of the main trunk line and also south of the city it was marginal on the tracks. Further south and inland, the Lindis pass was closed overnight due to heavy snow.All other passes throughout the South Island were clear of snow.

Dunedin has totalled more than 50 mm of rain in the last 24 hours and Oamaru just over 60, with Timaru nudging 70mm.

Southerners are hoping that conditions do ease so that a clean up operation can get underway however rain this morning is curtailing that at this point.