Cars have been submerged in floodwaters in Wellington on Monday morning, following heavy rainfall.
In an update on the wild weather, Hutt City Council wrote on Facebook that contractors were on site at the Riverbank Carpark, which has closed, "doing their best to move any remaining cars to higher ground".
Residents in the Kapiti Coast town of Waikanae say it's the worst flooding they've seen in over a decade. (Source: 1News)
"There is flooding along Harcourt Werry Drive. We're keeping an eye on the situation but strongly suggest you avoid the area," the council warned.
"Take care Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai and remember to drive to the conditions."
MetService tweeted that the capital had downpours of more than 60mm of rain in Wainuiomata and 48.4mm in Kelburn just before 8am.
"Both these stations recorded more than 25mm/hr – that is a lot of rain," the weather agency said.
The downpour has meant Wellington’s already met its average rainfall for December – in 14 hours.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand told 1News they’ve been in attendance at several weather-related callouts up Kāpiti Coast.
This includes a landslide into a property at Waikanae, a breached river near Otaihanga, and floodwaters reaching a property in Paekakariki.
An Emergency Operations Centre has been stood up at Paraparaumu to help respond to this.
Fire and Emergency shift manager Jill Webley said the callouts on Monday had been "busy but manageable".
"Take extra care this morning as there may be surface flooding or slips on the road. The Heavy Rain Warning is in force until this afternoon," MetService said.
Waka Kotahi NZTA also tweeted, warning motorists of delays.
The agency said the right southbound lane of State Highway 1 was blocked for a time after a crash at the Churton Park on-ramp at about 6.30am.
Later in the morning, at about 7.20am, Waka Kotahi said due to flooding, the left northbound lane of State Highway 2 in Petone was blocked just before the Dowse Drive off-ramp.
Footage shows cars driving through a submerged Grays Road. (Source: Supplied)
Then at 8am, it advised there was another crash in Ngauranga on State Highway 2. The right northbound lane was blocked after the interchange.
All three sites are now clear.
Just after 10am, Waka Kotahi said Block Road in Melling was closed due to flooding.
"Take extra care and expect delays around SH2 Melling. Thank you for your ongoing patience," the agency said.
Meanwhile, Paremata School has also been closed on Monday, with parents being instructed to collect their children if they were in before-school care.
Principal Bryce Coleman confirmed the closure to 1News, after sewage started running into the school grounds from Station Road.
Roads have been closed around the capital following heavy rain. (Source: 1News)
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