Warnings of heavy rain are in force, as well a strong wind watch for Canterbury High Country. Photo: MetService
Parts of the West Coast have experienced their wettest night in decades as emergency managers continue to closely monitor the situation.
Orange level rain warnings are in place for Westland until at least this afternoon, with a small chance warnings could escalate to red.
West Coast Civil Defence has partially activated its emergency operations centre, with emergency managers meeting later on Saturday morning.
About 350 millimetres of rain had fallen across the coast in the 24 hours to 7am.
Franz Josef experienced its wettest 24 hours in 45 years.
Emergency Management minister Mark Mitchell earlier said Westland residents should stay off the roads as heavy rain continues to fall.
Mitchell said Emergency Management officials and the community are well prepared, but they need to stay vigilant, and stay off the roads if they can.
Heavy rain☔ is affecting western and some southern parts of Te Waipounamu, the South Island.
— MetService (@MetService) November 8, 2024
Rain totals today:
86.8 mm Milford Sound
71.7 mm Franz Josef
Rain Warnings and Watches here.https://t.co/Yjbq0jgaoz pic.twitter.com/Hjgyntct26
He said the main area of concern is the Waiho river near Franz Joseph, which experts are keeping a close eye on.
Overnight, State Highway Six between Haast and Fox Glacier was closed because of a slip.
The highway between Haast and Makarora was also closed, due to flooding.
There was no detour for either section of highway.
Meanwhile, warnings of heavy rain are still in force for other parts of the South Island, as a strong wind watch for Canterbury High Country.
MetService has issued orange heavy rain warnings for Grey and Buller until 9pm Saturday, with 100 to 130mm of rain expected.
Weekend weather in 3 points
— MetService (@MetService) November 8, 2024
Prolonged heavy rain on the West Coast
☀ Parts of Hawke's Bay could hit 30°C tomorrow
Showers move over the North Island on Sunday - some could be heavy! pic.twitter.com/VBcUlVw8jV
There are also still orange heavy rain warnings for Otago Headwaters until 9am, and Fiordland, about and north of George Sound, until 6am Saturday.
Canterbury High Country is still under strong wind watch until noon Saturday, with a moderate chance to upgrading to a warning, as some northwest winds may approach severe gale in exposed places.
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