The full scale of flooding damage and stock deaths - is coming to light as waters recede in Mid Canterbury

Ashburton farmer and Newstalk ZB newsreader Donna-Marie Lever told Heather du Plessis-Allan they feel they've dodged a bullet with no stock losses, but not all farmers have been so lucky.

"We're hearing stories of people watching cattle wash down rivers and floodwaters next to their houses. The situation is they are setting up systems in place so people can report that." 

Meanwhiile, the evacuated area of Canterbury's Selwyn Huts is a mess after a deluge that won't be forgotten.

NZ Herald's George Heard has just taken a helicopter ride over Pines Beach and the Selwyn river mouth, and told Heather du Plessis-Allan he could see the extent of the destruction.

"There was quite a bit of damage to buildings, farm sheds and everything that have had river flowing through it.

"It was almost like rivers flowing through houses."

He says there are houses that are surrounded by water and vehicles under water.

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