MetService says while bad weather may have eased on the West Coast, it's only just starting for the top of the South Island.
The rain radar at 8am. Photo: MetService
The Westland area was pelted with rain yesterday, causing surface flooding and the evacuation of up to a dozen Grey District residents yesterday.
Heavy rain was forecast to fall between 1am and 4am this morning, however the rain has not been as intense as expected.
A spokesperson for the Grey District Emergency Management said there was some minor flooding just before midnight.
They said received two calls, but they were only inquires.
Surface flooding in Greymouth Photo: Supplied / NZ Police
MetService meteorologist Tom Adams said a significant amount of rain has fallen on the area in just a 24-hour period.
"From midnight to midnight Hokitika Airport saw 212mm and the West Coast Regional Council office in Greymouth saw 170mm, so that was a lot of rain," he said.
Mr Adams said more rain is expected to hit the area today, but at much lower levels than what was seen yesterday.
However, he warned heavy rainfall is expected to hit around the Nelson area later this morning.
"As the main area of rainfall moves further north, the focus really is going to shift from Westland up to western Nelson, not including the city, but areas west of Motueka," he said.
MetService have put out a warning to expect between 100 to 120mm of north-easterly rain, mainly around the ranges, with peak intensities of 10 to 20mm per hour.
Mr Adams said there's risk with this level of rainfall of localised surface flooding, rising rivers and slips.
"There is still a few towns in that region, but less populated areas than the area we had flooding yesterday, doesn't mean it's any less severe, but we're unlikely to see as many reports."
He urged the public to keep checking the weather forecasts for up to date information.
