'Hideous out there': Hay shed blows over in Marlborough winds

A Marlborough lifestyle block owner awoke to her hay shed completely blown over by strong winds.

Wind and flooding has hit the South Island overnight, and a red heavy rain warning has been extended in parts of Marlborough and Canterbury until 6am Wednesday morning.

Farmer Tracy Taylor said she was shocked to find her shed blown backwards, saying it had endured many storms before.

"It just completely failed and rolled into the neighbours paddock."

The property is high on a hill, avoiding flooding but facing harsh winds.

"It's absolutely hideous out there."

The shed contained about $5000 worth of hay, the owner said.

Taylor said she battled the wind, using her whole bodyweight to pull a tarpaulin down on top of the hay to save it.

Meanwhile, Taylor said the lifestyle block welcomed about five lambs last night, and another at sunrise on Tuesday.

While the wind roared this morning, she watched a new lamb stagger to its feet and have a feed.

Further south, the Mount Lyford Ski Area's road washed out overnight from the Wandle River overflowing with rainwater.

Owner and operator Tim Simpson said the ski area will be closed until at least Friday, in case of an avalanche risk.

Simpson was on his tractor this morning assessing the damage, and cleaning up the washed out road.

He said snow was falling on top of the mountain.

"That's good news for the ski field."

He said weather events were standard for the mountain every few years, if not yearly.