Orange warnings in place and drivers warned to be careful due to surface flooding on the West Coast

An orange heavy rain warning is in place for the West Coast as authorities warn drivers to be careful on the roads.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency warned that caution was advised on State Highway 6 between Haast to Hokitika due to surface flooding.

MetService issued an orange heavy rain warning from 8pm Monday to 6pm Tuesday for Westland south of Otira.

“On top of what has already fallen, expect 80 to 120 mm of rain to accumulate about the ranges, and 40 to 60 mm near the coast. Peak rates of 15 to 25 mm/h about the ranges, with thunderstorms possible,” it said.

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The heavy rain was expected to ease in Westland for a while early Tuesday morning, MetService said.

“Heavy rain may cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly. Surface flooding and slips are also possible and driving conditions may be hazardous.

The heavy rain warning and severe thunderstorm warnings that caused Waihī Beach residents to be evacuated on Monday afternoon after widespread flooding were lifted on Monday night. Another heavy rain warning for eastern areas of the region lifted at 3am on Tuesday.

Bay of Plenty Civil Defence duty manager Peter Watson said nine people were evacuated, and flash flooding had done “quite a lot of damage” to the area’s infrastructure including roads and the storm and wastewater network, which were currently running on generator power. The most important thing was that no one had been injured, he said.

Meanwhile, a strong wind watch remains in place for the Canterbury High Country from 11am to 6pm on Tuesday with northwest winds possibly approaching severe gale in exposed places.

A heavy rain watch for Fiordland will extend until 2pm Tuesday with periods of heavy rain and thunderstorms possible. Rainfall amounts could approach warning criteria, mainly north of Doubtful Sound.