Flooding, power outages and road disruptions are being reported as a rapidly deepening low approaches the South Island from the Tasman, bringing heavy rain and strong winds to large parts of the country.
Hundreds of properties have lost power across the top of the South Island, while flooding has been reported on the West Coast and in Nelson and Marlborough. Local roads have been closed and several sections of state highways placed under warnings due to hazardous conditions.
The Tasman District Council reported 385mm of rain had fallen on Anatoki at Paradise in the 24 hours to 5pm on Friday. Several rivers in the region, including the Buller, were at or nearing flood levels.
"Heaviest rainfall is expected to peak around 6pm-8pm this evening, with river flows anticipated to peak between approximately 7pm and 11pm," the district council warned.
MetService said a slow-moving front over the upper South Island was combining with a rapidly deepening low, expected to cross the country between Friday afternoon and Saturday morning. As it moves east, associated fronts are forecast to push across the North Island.
Strong wind watches have been added for Wairarapa and the Tararua district, Christchurch and the Canterbury Plains north of the Rakaia River, Nelson and Tasman, and Marlborough northwest of the Awatere River.
Several warnings and watches were already in place for large parts of the country, with the forecaster warning of wet and unsettled weather.
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MetService's John Law says people should remain alert as heavy rain, strong winds and large waves hit much of the South Island. (Source: Breakfast)
MetService meteorologist John Law told Breakfast the change came after a settled week, with high pressure now moving away and allowing a much more active system to push in from the Tasman Sea.
"Last week was great — high pressure kept things generally fine — but that’s shifted east and opened the door for these more active systems from the Tasman," he said.
Law said parts of the West Coast had already experienced significant rainfall, with around 160mm recorded in Tasman’s ranges, and more heavy rain was expected to spread during the day.
"We saw a big bout of rain come through on the West Coast yesterday, we've had already 160 millimetres of rainfall through those ranges of the Tasman region. As we head through the rest of today, we're going to find more of that rain pushing through."
Strong winds are also set to develop, particularly on the eastern side of the Southern Alps.
"The strongest winds are likely in places like the Canterbury High Country and Marlborough later in the day, with gusts of up to 140km/h possible along the Kaikōura Coast," he said.
Wellington was also expected to see blustery conditions overnight, "even by its usual standards", he added.
Flooding affecting the West Coast, top of the South
A slip blocked a lane on State Highway 73 near Otira, the New Zealand Transport Agency said.
NZTA also received reports of trees blocking lanes on SH73 near Jacksons, SH6 in the Lower Buller Gorge, SH6 between Murchison and Inangahua Junction, and SH6 in South Westland between Harihari and Whataroa.
"Contractors are being dispatched to assess and clear the roads where required," NZTA said.
"As darkness falls soon, road users are urged to travel with extra care in areas where flooding, slips or fallen trees may be present. People are also asked to avoid driving through floodwaters where the depth is uncertain or risks may be hidden."
Nelson City Council earlier today said surface flooding had been reported between Nelson and Renwick, urging drivers to travel with caution.
"Network Tasman are reporting a fallen tree that has taken out powerlines feeding a section of Wakapuaka Rd, Cable Bay, Teal Valley and Kokoroa leaving the area without power," the council said.
Flooding was being reported on SH67 north of Westport between Birchfield and Granity.
Brett Partel told 1News the rain had been consistent.
"[It's] supposed to get worse in the next few hours, and high tide is not till 4."
NZTA has issued multiple highway warnings, including for SH6 between Haast and Makarora, SH6 through the Lower Buller Gorge, and SH7 between Reefton and Springs Junction.
"Heavy rain means slippery roads and drivers should think about adjusting their speed and travelling distances, avoiding sudden braking, and staying visible. People should also avoid travelling through floodwaters where risks may be hidden."
The transport agency also advised of the cancellation of a number of overnight convoys along SH3 through the Awakino Gorge.
"We’re constantly monitoring the slip site and short and long-range weather forecasts. The combination of predicted high winds and rain in heavy bursts overnight has the potential to cause further slips."
Full list of weather warnings and watches
Heavy Rain Warning - Orange
Tasman District northwest of Motueka — 10 hours from 9am to 7pm Friday
Buller District — 10 hours from 9am to 7pm Friday
Ranges of Nelson and Marlborough (Nelson City to Awatere River, incl. Nelson Lakes) — 12 hours from 9am to 9pm Friday
Grey District — 10 hours from 9am to 7pm Friday
Westland District — 17 hours from 10am Friday to 3am Saturday
Canterbury headwaters (about and south of Arthur’s Pass) — 16 hours from 10am Friday to 2am Saturday
Strong Wind Warning - Orange
Taranaki — 9 hours from 1pm to 10pm Friday
Wellington — 14 hours from 3pm Friday to 5am Saturday
Marlborough southeast of the Awatere River — 19 hours from 1pm Friday to 8am Saturday
Canterbury High Country — 18 hours from 2pm Friday to 8am Saturday
Heavy Rain Watch
Taranaki Maunga — 7 hours from 4pm to 11pm Friday
Otago headwaters — 12 hours from 2pm Friday to 2am Saturday
Mainland Southland — 11 hours from 4pm Friday to 3am Saturday
Strong Wind Watch
Christchurch and Canterbury Plains (north of Rakaia River) — 6 hours from 11pm Friday to 5am Saturday
Westland south of Whataroa — 12 hours from 2pm Friday to 2am Saturday
Fiordland north of Bligh Sound — 6 hours from 6pm to midnight Friday
Taihape and inland Whanganui — 10 hours from 4pm Friday to 2am Saturday
Wairarapa and Tararua — 17 hours from 8pm Friday to 1pm Saturday
Nelson and Tasman — 9 hours from noon to 9pm Friday
Buller, Grey, Westland north of Whataroa — 6 hours from 1pm to 7pm Friday
Marlborough northwest of the Awatere River — 15 hours from 1pm Friday to 4am Saturday
The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including news about a New Zealander on the virus stricken cruise ship, and Sir David Attenborough speaks about his 100th birthday. (Source: 1News)
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