The swollen Maitai River in central Nelson. Photo: RNZ/ Samantha Gee
High running rivers in the Tasman District are expected to to drop fairly quickly on the low tide this afternoon but residents are being warned of more bad weather in the coming days.
Nelson Tasman Civil Defence controller Jim Frater said the Maitai River running through the city had come across the road in the Hanby Park area on Saturday, and two properties were evacuated.
"We had a big dash of rain up the top of the Maitai (River), took about an hour to come down," Frater said
"It looks like it's going to fluctuate during the day ...there may be a few more evacuations but it doesn't look like there's going to be mass evacuations at this stage.
"We're just keeping a very close eye on it."
"(In) the rest of the area, the river's starting to drop down and it looks like we're going to be okay for the next few days - maybe a few slips here and there.
The Maitai River came across the road in some areas. Photo: RNZ/ Samantha Gee
Civil Defence had met with emergency services and the area's mayors, Frater said.
"The worst event we're thinking is probably going to be on Tuesday."
Heavy rain over Nelson City on Saturday morning. Some weather stations recorded up to 25mm of rain in an hour. Photo: MetService
Earlier, 29 people were evacuated in Riwaka, northwest of Nelson, after the Brooklyn Stream breached its banks on Friday.
MetService said the moist northerly airstream was expected to bring further heavy rain to Nelson and Marlborough.
Tasman from Motueka westwards could receive a further 70mm-100mm of rain near the coast and 110mm-160mm in the ranges from 9am Saturday through to 3pm Sunday, MetService said in its orange warning.
Marlborough about and north of the Awatere Valley, Nelson and Tasman south and east of Motueka, could have 70mm-100mm of rainfall through to 9pm Saturday.
In Marlborough, the Wairau Diversion freedom campsite and nearby Thomas Road have been closed. The district council said people should keep away from river reserves around the region.
Heavy rain was expected to continue for western parts of the South Island through the weekend till Tuesday.
Where to stay up to date on the changing conditions
- NZTA's journey planner
- MetService severe weather warnings and watches
- Check your local council and local Civil Defence websites for updates
A heavy rain watch was in place for Buller from 10pm Saturday until 6pm Sunday, and for 48 hours in Westland starting 11pm on Sunday until 11pm Tuesday.
Hazards on highways, drivers asked to be careful of slips and rockfalls
State Highway 60, between Tākaka and Collingwood, has reopened after earlier being closed by flooding.
Waka Kotahi regional manager lower North Island/top of the South Mark Owen said there were still problems with localised flooding and temporary speed limits and closures were in place in some parts.
Localised flooding had been reported at the intersection of Riwaka-Kaiteriteri Road on SH60.
Civil Defence said hazards were in place, as contractors dealt with slips and rockfalls across the region's highways overnight.
It said if the situation worsened, further road closures were possible.
Floodwaters at the Wairau Bridge on State Highway 1, Marlborough. Photo: Waka Kotahi
State Highway 6 between Havelock and Hira was closed earlier today but has now reopened. However SH6 remains closed between Havelock and the Rai Valley.
This means the only route between Marlborough and Nelson is via SH63 and St Arnaud.
Old Renwick Road was shut at the ford near Renwick, while Duncan Bay access is via 4WD only.
Owen said with bad weather set to continue until next week drivers and residents must be ready for changing conditions.
"Unfortunately, the weather will be problematic for a few days. With the ground already saturated, there's a real risk of more slips, flooding, and road closures. If you are on the roads, drive to the conditions. If you can, please delay any non-essential trips, and if conditions are unsafe, please stay home."
State Highway 6 has reopened from Havelock to Hira but it remains closed from Havelock and the Rai Valley. Photo: Waka Kotahi
Weather warning lifted for Northland and Mt Taranaki
MetService has lifted the orange heavy rain warning from Northland, Mt Taranaki and Westland south of Harihari, after steady rainfall since Thursday.
Civil Defence Northland said there were still some areas with surface flooding, especially Far North.
It said Sandhills Road remained closed due to surface flooding but the rest of the previously closed roads were now open with some restrictions.