Wairarapa residents still recovering from last week's flooding are now bracing for more wild weather.
An estimated 460 homes were cut off for the second time this year after the Tūranganui River bridge was damaged in floods.
Cape Palliser resident Alex Morrissey told 1News the isolation has been difficult.
"We didn't have power or water, and with young children that's quite difficult. There's also a lot of stress and anxiety, checking on your neighbours and making sure everyone's okay," Morrissey said.
The bridge was also damaged in severe weather in February, when Mayor Fran Wilde told 1News another heavy rain event would "not be good" for those bridges.
"Even though it's a rural area, these roads are actually very busy with farmers, fishermen, business owners and tourists, so it's really important to keep them open and moving so the economy can keep flourishing out here," Morrissey said.
Seven students from Pirinoa School can't attend when the school bus is unable to cross the bridge.
Deputy Principal Jess De Menech said the interruptions risk students falling behind.
"We have to cram so much into a day - the lessons move along quickly. If they miss a couple of maths lessons and don't come back until next week, we've already moved on to another part of the curriculum," De Menech said.
Three of the school's permanent teachers also live on the other side of the bridge.
The bridge connects to the already fragile Cape Palliser Road, parts of which are at risk from high swells eroding the cliff face below.
Longtime resident Brian Jephson told 1News parts of the road have been battered by waves for decades.
"The sea only has to change direction slightly and it washes in there. The state of those houses - people know they're not going to be there forever," he said.
A heavy rain watch is in place for the region from 6am tomorrow until midnight Wednesday.
Greater Wellington Regional Council, which is responsible for flood protection in the area, says a comprehensive review of flood protection in the lower Wairarapa Valley is underway, with public engagement to begin soon.
"Greater Wellington is concerned for the welfare of communities isolated by damage to the Tūranganui River Bridge. We are working closely with South Wairarapa District Council and other partners as part of the flood recovery response, including supporting work to repair the bridge," Council Deputy Chair Ros Connelly said.
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