Updated 5.33pm 5th March

The wild weather bringing extensive flooding and severe winds in Christchurch has been called a one in a century event.

Thousands are still without power, while schools have been forced to closed as the city tries to repair the damage caused by a storm which swept across the Canterbury region yesterday.

Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel today described the storm as a one in a century event.

"Now we are measuring a one to 100 year so this is a significant event for our city, and for an earthquake damaged city, it is of major concern and there are obviously significant levels of damage throughout particular areas," she says.

She says the worst of the weather appears to be over, while MetService is forecasting heavy rain will ease over Banks Peninsula and Christchurch this afternoon.

More here at tvnz.co.nz
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/christchurch-storm-one-in-100-year-event-5857721

Also  on the night of April 16th 1974 we had 121mm of rain.
And in April 17th 1925 118mm fell in 24 hours.
Copy from the press 20/8/75.

In 1977 the head line was on Monday the 4th July "HUNDREDS EVACUATED"
It said worst storm since the Wahine storm.
"Water was up to the windowsills in Clarendon Terrace.
The 1977 flood was called the worst flood since 1974. so SO WHERE DOES 1975 FIT IN.
1977 was worst than 1975.

from the press.