Hundreds evacuated in NZ floods

Heavy rain causes flooding and landslides in New Zealand's South island.
A state of emergency was declared after 420 millimeters of rain fell in 24 hours bringing streams of mud and water into towns leaving a trail of destruction
Hundreds of people were evacuated from around the region after police feared hillsides may collapse.
(SOUNDBITE) POHARA RESIDENT, CHRIS UDELL, SAYING (English):
"We drove back up the road and here were logs and brown water coming down the road to meet us."
Travel in the area was almost impossible after a landslide on a highway completely washed away a section of road, severing a major link between towns.
Authorities say the road will take many days or possibly weeks to repair.
Marie-Claire Fennessy, Reuters