West Coast residents are being asked to prepare emergency bags, called to stay off the roads, and are being offered sandbags as wild weather continues.
MetService said 640 lightning strikes were recorded in the 12 hours to 8.30am Wednesday 1 June. Photo: Supplied/ MetService
Emergency management staff are monitoring as heavy rain continues to fall across the West Coast, with a rain warning in place for Buller.
Sand and sandbags were delivered to the Westport Domain, Craddock Rugby Park, Pulse Energy Centre and Rayner park last night, for Westport residents wishing to prepare in case of flooding, with more delivered today.
Buller Emergency Management has asked people to have emergency bags ready.
And drivers are being asked to consider travel plans over the next two days and stay off the roads where possible.
Residents should check their drains and clear them if possible, as well as securing any items that might be affected by strong winds, the emergency management organisation said.
MetService issued heavy rain warnings for Buller and Westland.
In Westland, between 170mmm and 250mm of rain was expected to accumulate in the ranges south of Otira, and 150mm elsewhere, in the period until 3pm Thursday.
In Buller, up to another 100 to 150mm of rain was expected to accumulate on top of what has already fallen south of Karamea. And 50 to 70mm more was expected further north, between Wednesday and the early hours of Thursday morning.
Heavy could cause streams and rivers to rise suddenly, and surface flooding and slips could make driving hazardous, MetService said.
Due to the heavy rain, a section of the West Coast Wilderness Trail between Kawhaka and Milltown had been closed, and a high water alternative route was in place.
A severe thunderstorm watch was in place for Nelson, Buller, Westland and Fiordland on Wednesday, due to unstable northwesterlies affecting the West Coast of the South Island.
In the 12 hours to 8.30am on Wednesday, there were 640 lightning strikes detected over the upper North Island and west of the South Island.
MetService said there was a moderate risk of thunderstorms bringing damaging wind gusts of more than 110 km/h and a slight chance of a small tornados.
Two tornadoes were reported on Kāpiti Coast late on Wednesday morning, damaging houses and properties.