Caution is being advised for Whanganui residents, with river levels expected to rise in the next 24-hours due to heavy rain in the ranges.
The Whanganui River may rise above nine metres at the Pipiriki gauge later today into the early hours of Friday morning.
Following steady rain over the last few days, the region is saturated and river levels can rise quickly.
Jetties could be swamped and grassways along the river covered with water, but council officials say the situation is a long way from homes being threatened.
Elsewhere the severe thunderstorm watch has been lifted.
Southland Highway Patrol is still warning drivers of black ice, while State Highway 94 - closed from Te Anau to Milford Sound - is unlikely to reopen before the weekend.
RadioLIVE