Buller District residents are being warned to pack an emergency getaway bag, make sure their cars are filled with petrol, and be prepared for evacuations at any time due to forecast heavy rain.
Last July, after a similar red warning - almost half of Westport's residents were evacuated after major flooding inundated much of the town, causing millions of dollars in damage, and damaging hundreds of homes.
Buller District Mayor Jamie Cleine says they're planning for the worst.
He spoke to Susie Ferguson.
