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Homes have lost power and roads are closed across the top of the South Island after heavy rain caused flooding overnight.
Up to 700mm of rain had fallen in the north of the South Island in the past 12 hours. MetService meteorologist John Law told First Up that Kahurangi National Park, Collingwood and Tākaka had been the most affected.
It said the worst affected areas were Riwaka, Wakefield and Spring Grove.
Several sections of State Highway 60 between Riwaka and Collingwood are closed due to flooding, treefall and downed powerlines.
Network Tasman is reporting an unplanned power outage in Tākaka after a tree brought down a power line. It is unclear when power will be restored.
State Highway 6 from Pelorus Bridge to Canvastown also remains closed due to flooding.
Nelson Tasman Civil Defence initially said about eight properties may have to be evacuated, but only one home has been cleared out since.
Civil Defence said conditions were starting to settle on Tuesday morning.
Meanwhile, Northland avoided much of the forecast rainfall.
But while the heavy rain is abating, drivers are still being urged to take care and drive to the conditions.
MetService now has no severe weather watches or warnings in place for the area.
"Even areas towards the coast, like Collingwood, have seen over 100mm of rainfall," Law said, leading to some flooding.
"The rain is starting to pull away so it's an improving story there."
MetService now has no severe weather watches or warnings in place for the area.
Law warned that areas of the North Island were still at risk, with heavy rain continuing in Bay of Plenty.
"With the rain coming in from the north, areas like the Bay of Plenty ... we are going to keep hold of a fairly wet story as we head through the rest of the day."
The Tasman mayor said severe weather had hit local communities. Tim King said any heavy showers to come would impact the water levels quickly.
"Obviously, if it's not essential, you could consider not travelling. But if you are travelling, just be careful on the roads, take notice of the environment, particularly surface flooding and debris that may have been left."
Areas like Brightwater, Riwaka, Brooklyn, and Wakefield had been hit the hardest, King said.
Northland largely unscathed
All weather warnings and watches across Northland have been lifted after the region dodged the worst of the overnight rain.
An orange heavy rain warning had been in place from 8pm on Monday until 6am Tueday. A strong wind watch expired at the same time.
MetService had forecast 50 to 90mm of rain, with localised downpours possibly reaching 100 to 130mm.
Currently the only significant weather-related power outage was on the west coast of the Far North, where 220 homes in Herekino and Whangape were without power. Lines company Top Energy expected their power to be restored around 6pm.
According to the Northland Regional Council, the wettest place in the 24 hours to 8am today was Tutamoe, south of Waipoua Forest, which recorded 93mm.
The rainfall rate peaked at 19mm/hour around midnight.
Earlier, MetService urged those in Golden Bay, Nelson and the entire Northland region to prepare for potential flooding.
NZTA advises that the bad weather and heavy rain has closed more roads overnight. Drivers should delay their travel and avoid affected areas until highways reopen.
Roads closed are:
- SH6 - Pelorus Bridge to Canvastown, flooding
- SH60 - Tākaka to Collingwood, flooding
- SH60 - between Park Avenue and Central Tākaka Road, treefall and downed powerlines. Local road detour available via Dodson Road.
- SH60 - between Riwaka River Bridge and Riwaka Kaiteriteri Road (Cook's Corner), flooding
This story was first published on rnz.co.nz |  |