A race against the clock for Westport residents - with fears the district's water supply could run out

The Buller District has extended its State of Emergency - as early forecasting indicates unprecedented damage.

The area was slammed with dual flooding events in the first fortnight of February.

Authorities are aware of at least 70 farms damaged by severe weather - while building inspections has identified 22 flood-damaged houses.

Currently, no raw water is coming into the town's reservoir.

Buller mayor Jamie Cleine says there's been lots of optioneering to resolve the issue.

He says they're planning how they'll put in a temporary supply, if it comes to that.