Continued warnings for Southlanders to treat flood water - as unsafe

The waters are receding, but the region's state of emergency remains.

Civil Defence and FENZ teams are assessing the evacuated towns of Mataura and Wyndham this morning, after most residents were allowed back into Gore last night.

Emergency Management Southland controller Angus McKay says it'll take a couple more days for ponded floodwater to drain - and people should avoid it in case it's contaminated.

Southland mayor, Gary Tong, adds a number of roads are still closed, but light vehicles can now travel from Dunedin to Invercargill.

But he's warning people to avoid rubber-necking - and only go out if they need to.