Floods in New Zealand force hundreds to evacuate (VIDEO)

GlobalPost

As heavy rainstorm falls on New Zealand's South Island, hundreds of people are being evacuated from their homes, according to Reuters.

Within 24 hours, more than 420 millimeters of rain, or 17 inches, have fallen so far.

A state of emergency has been declared.

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BBC News reported that these are the worst floods that have hit the island country in the last 10 years.

Conditions are not expected to get better until at least Friday.

According to Al Jazeera, the Civil Defense said that the total amount of rainfall was "'well in excess' of a one-in-100 year event."

So far, 50 mudslides have occurred, and 50 homes have been damaged.

A landslide also severed a major highway, making travel in and out of the area difficult.

In Golden Bay, a dam collapsed Wednesday evening.

The rain also caused filming for the movie, "The Hobbit," to be cut short in the next couple of days.

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