Official records show the central city received 175mm of rain in the 24 hours to 6 o'clock this morning.

That's the highest rainfall Dunedin's had since Metservice records for the central city began in 2006.

And it's estimated to be one of the highest 24 hour rainfalls in the city's history.

The Water of Leith peaked last night at 100 cumecs - almost the highest flow its recorded since continuous records began in 1964.

River levels are now returning to normal.