Fire crews have responded to several homes inundated with water on the South Island’s West Coast amid heavy rain and flooding.
Fire and Emergency said crews responded to the first callout at 3.30am.
They said many homes in Greymouth, Runanga and Brunner had flooded, with crews expecting more callouts across the Grey district as daylight broke.
The Grey District Council said staff and contractors had been assessing damage, with teams beginning the clean-up process since first light.
They said there was a significant localised cloudburst, thunder, lightning and heavy rain, which resulted in stormwater systems being “overwhelmed” and significant flooding of streets.
In Greymouth, water has come down off hillside streets including Freyberg Tce, Puketahi and Mount St, then into the CBD and through to the Leonard, Williams, Boundary, and Arney St areas, leaving gravel and debris in its wake.
In Cobden, many roads were affected and Range Creek overflowed its banks on Bright St, with the lower part of the street closed for a time.
There has also been a slip on Taylorville Rd.
McLeans Pit was closed this morning because of flooding on the access road.
Collection trucks were able to safely get through to begin the Grey Valley kerbside servicing.
Other areas affected included Blaketown, Taylorville, Runanga, Dunollie, Kaiata, and Dobson.
The council said stormwater pumps were checked and all were working.
“However, the volume of water was well in excess of pump capacity,” the council said.
“Any floodwaters should be considered contaminated.”
The Grey District Council said affected residents and businesses had been asked to contact their insurers.
“If you have had water through your property, please contact council too,” it said.
Mayor Tania Gibson thanked people for their patience as contractors worked through the clean-up.
“We know many people have been impacted by this isolated, but damaging event,” Gibson said.
“If you are out and about, watch for slippery footpaths and roads.
“Crews will be working throughout the weekend as the clean-up progresses.
“We only have so many resources, and they are going as fast as they can, with many working through the night.”
State Highway 7 between Greymouth and Stillwater has reopened after being closed earlier this morning because of the flooding.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi urged people to continue to travel with extra care in the area as hazards might remain.
Heavy rain was predicted for the West Coast, before potential snow and ice affecting lower and central South Island roads over the next few days.