It's the perfect storm - rain, thunderstorms, and wind - and it appears the West Coast is getting the worst of it.
Several Hokitika streets were flooded this afternoon after more than 200mm of rain fell in the town in 18 hours. A water main also burst on a central street.
Hokitika Civil Defence spokesman Andy Thompson said an emergency hadn't been declared but residents were being warned more rain on the way.
He said no one was evacuated and there wasn't any reports of flooding in houses or businesses, but there were sewage problems.
As of 3pm, Hokitika police and fire hadn't had any flooding-related callouts.
West Coast Regional Council hydrologist Stefan Beaumont said by 10am the Hokitika River reached "first stage alarm" levels, and at Franz Josef, the Waiho River was going through its second. But by this afternoon, the rivers were starting to plateau.
Meanwhile, the New Zealand Transport Agency was advising motorists to take extreme care on West Coast roads this afternoon due to slips and flooding on State Highway 6 south of Ross and Haast, and across South Westland, Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers.
A slip blocked one lane in the Fox Hills area between Franz Josef and Fox Glacier.
A severe weather warning and severe thunderstorm watch were in place for Marlborough, Nelson, Buller and Westland.
Downpours could reach 2-40mm an hour from Westland to Nelson and northern Marlborough.
MetService meteorologist Lisa Murray said a front moving up the country brought the heavy rain.
Rain was expected to ease in Westland this afternoon and early evening, but more heavy rain was likely on Friday morning.
WeatherWatch was predicting rain to intensify in many places tonight, and tomorrow is expected to be wet in the west and north.
The rain would ease in most places on Friday, according to WeatherWatch.
Rough seas
Beach conditions have worsened up the western coastline of New Zealand today, WeatherWatch said.
"Over the next few days expect high seas and dangerous beach conditions to spread northwards, including the west coast of Waikato, Auckland and Northland.
"By Thursday, swells of 5 or 6m will be hitting the West Coast. Swells of around 3m will affect the North Island's west."
Conditions would ease back over Friday and Saturday, but seas would continue to be generally rough and unsettled next week.
- By Catherine Gaffaney
