Extreme weather in New Zealand

Floods, roofs ripped off, trees falling in Nelson and Tasman areasHeavy rain and strong winds have closed roads, flooded homes and ripped roofs off sheds in parts of the South Island.

Radio NZ,
18 February, 2016

Flooding at a Brightwater property after the Wairoa River breached its banks.  Photo: RNZ / Tracy Neal

Local Civil Defence spokesperson Roger Ball told Morning Report there was about half of metre of rain hammering Nelson and Golden Bay.

He said it was a one-in-25-years flood at the Wairoa River, and the police were knocking on doors to warn residents, although the river level had gone down.

"We did have police having to go knock on a few doors last night just to start talking to a few residents there. We had a few nervous moments."

Mr Ball said he expected more calls from people about suffice flooding as they woke up.

Fire crews were called in to deal with two flooded homes in central Nelson in the early hours of this morning.

Further rain is expected and emergency services and council contractors are monitoring the Maitai River in Nelson.

The Wairoa River reached 25-year flood levels overnight.   Photo: RNZ / Tracy Neal

Overnight, the Wairoa River caused extensive surface flooding around the Brightwater area, and in Golden Bay the Anatoki River has also caused surface flooding.

Maitai Road has been closed at Ralphine Way due to flooding risk from the Maitai River, and water is across SH6 at Brightwater Bridge.

In the Golden Bay area, flooding affected Ferntown, Waitapu Splash, Upper Takaka and Lindsay's Bridge.

Photo: MetService

In Kaikoura, strong winds caused roofs to come off some sheds and properties last night.

There were also callouts of flooding in Alexandra.

Floodwaters on the approach to Brightwater Bridge this morning.