The lower South Island is in the firing line for more wild weather

A MetService orange heavy rain and wind warning applies for Southland and Otago until at least 5pm.

Gore has declared a state of emergency, after downpours have overwhelmed the storm and wastewater network, threatening homes.

No one's yet needed evacuation.

MetService meteorologist Andrew James says the rain hasn't finished, with forecasts of another 30 to 40 millimetres.