A South Canterbury family's been left homeless after a creek burst its banks and flooded their rental home

Home owner Jessica Bowan says she and her husband were driving past the property at Clandeboye , near Temuka, when they saw the water rushing down the road.

It was at chest height when they waded in to rescue the family inside.

She says the mother and her two children are staying with friends, as the property won't be liveable for months.