Heavy rainfall has triggered flash flooding across parts of Wellington this morning, forcing sections of several state highways to close as a "complex trough" moves over the country.
MetService says a severe thunderstorm watch is currently in place for the lower North Island as a "very active" line of thunderstorms moves over the region. Around 40mm of rain fell on hills above Upper Hutt between 8am and 9am — near the upper end of what was forecast for localised thunderstorms.
Hutt City Council said 24 homes had been evacuated in the Stokes Valley area.
A spokesperson told 1News that most residents were staying with friends and family, while others were at council hubs.
NZTA said flooding had closed State Highway 2 northbound between Kennedy Good Bridge and Haywards (southbound remains open), State Highway 58 between Pāuatahanui and Haywards, and parts of State Highway 59 at Mana Esplanade (near Mana View Road) and the Plimmerton Roundabout.
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NZTA warned bad weather was affecting the wider Wellington highway network, with hazards including flooding, slips and rockfalls.
"Road users are urged to take care on the roads and drive to the conditions, and to check road and weather conditions before they travel."
Footage provided to 1News shows floodwaters covering lanes on State Highway 2 at the Haywards Interchange.
Police urged motorists to stay off the roads until the rainfall eases and water subsides.
"Flash flooding can be unpredictable and dangerous, with unseen objects, debris and currents. Police are working with other agencies to keep people safe in affected areas."
Fire and Emergency NZ said it had responded to around 30 flood-related callouts in the Porirua and Lower Hutt areas since 9am today.
"Plimmerton and Pauatahanui in the Porirua area, and the north end of Lower Hutt, including Stokes Valley, have been the main areas impacted," a FENZ spokesperson said.
The majority of the callouts had been in response to people attempting to drive through flood waters and assisting people with water encroaching on their properties.
Porirua Mayor Anita Baker urged motorists to "be careful" on the roads, while Hutt City Council said neighbourhood hubs were open across the city if people needed shelter.
"We have crews out monitoring the impacts and supporting the response where needed."
Vehicles stranded by West Coast slip
Heavy rain has also impacted a state highway on the West Coast, with a slip closing State Highway 67 between Granity and Waimangaroa.
Police were called to a report of a person stuck on the road due to the slip at around 7.20am, but they were able to get themselves to safety without injury.
West Coast resident Rebecca told 1News her partner was driving to work around 6.30am when torrential rain and intense lightning hit the Birchfield area.
She said he heard a loud crack of thunder before his vehicle suddenly broke down.
Miners who came across the scene helped get him back to Granity, she said, shortly before the slip came down and blocked the road, leaving their ute stranded on the far side.
MetService issued heavy rain warnings for Taranaki north of Eltham, the King Country, Buller and Grey District, with between 80 and 100mm of rain expected.
Periods of heavy rain and possible thunderstorms were also forecast for eastern and northern areas, while gale-force northwesterlies were possible in central parts of the country.
A red severe thunderstorm warning was briefly in place twice for parts of the lower North Island before being lifted.
However, a severe thunderstorm watch remains for Manawatū, Tararua, Kapiti Horowhenua, Wairarapa and Wellington.
MetService said a very active line of thunderstorms lay over northern Wellington and southern Kapiti, extending east into Wairarapa and moving slowly northeast, accompanied by very heavy, and in some places torrential, rain.
Heavy rain watches were also issued for northern and eastern Northland, parts of Tasman northwest of Motueka, the Tararua Range, Kapiti Coast, northern Wellington, and the Richmond and Bryant Ranges.
A strong wind watch remains in place for Wellington.
Full list of weather warnings and watches
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Manawatu, Tararua, Kapiti-Horowhenua, Wairarapa, Wellington - 6 hours and 3 minutes from 6.57am to 1pm Saturday
Heavy Rain Warning – Orange
Taranaki north of about Eltham, also the King Country – 19 hours from 10am Saturday to 5am Sunday
Buller and Grey Districts – 5 hours from 6am to 11am Saturday
Heavy Rain Watch
Northern and eastern parts of Northland north of Whangārei – 8 hours from 9pm Saturday to 5am Sunday
Tasman District northwest of Motueka – 9 hours from 6am to 3pm Saturday
The Tararua Range, also the Kāpiti Coast and parts of Wellington north of the Harbour – 20 hours from 6am Saturday to 2am Sunday
Richmond and Bryant Ranges – 9 hours from 6am to 3pm Saturday
Strong Wind Watch
Wellington – 5 hours from 6am to 11am Saturday
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