Families evacuated after flooding in Nelson

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Heavy rain fall has left families isolated in the Tapawera area, south-west of Nelson, with 20 households evacuated so far.

Evacuated families have taken refuge at the local rugby club rooms which has kitchen and bathroom facilities.

Police and Civil Defence did not know when they would be able to return home.

Detective Senior Sergeant Ian Langdridge says more heavy rain is predicted in the hours ahead and river levels are being closely monitored.

Nelson City Council manager of public communications Penny Bloomberg said two households had been evacuated - a few families by helicopter with limited personal belongings.

Summit rescue helicopter duty pilot Jarrod Colbourne said he had evacuated 13 people and was unaware of any injuries.

"The area had suffered from rivers breaking their banks, as well as mud slides which had brought down logs with them, some of which had taken out sheds, vehicles and one had flowed through a house," Mr Colbourne said.

All residents on the Dovedale water scheme are being urged to conserve water for at least 24 hours, as debris has affected the intake to their water scheme. Crews are currently working on restoring water services.

Roads are completely blocked between the twin bridges on Baton Valley Rd, and at Mcleans Reserve in the Motueka Valley due to a large slip.

One of the homes from which residents have been evacuated was badly damaged by logs slamming into it.

Ms Bloomberg said damming at a skid site caused logs to come charging down a river in the Tapawera area.

She said the Red Cross was now operating in the Tapawera Township providing support to people affected.

Police had taken the lead on the response and Civil Defence had set up an emergency station at Tasman District Council, she said.

Nelson Bays police and Civil Defence are asking people not to attempt to travel through the Motueka Valley.

Anyone with concerns for the safety or wellbeing of residents were being advised to make contact by phone in the first instance.

The Motueka Highway and other roads had been blocked by slips with more slips likely as rain continues.

The Baton and Wangapeka rivers peaked earlier today and have receded slightly since.

It was the fourth largest flood on record for the Baton River which received between 13mm and 17mm of rain in a 15 minute period earlier in the day.

Ms Bloomberg said the worst of the flooding had passed, though more rain was expected this evening on the eastern hills.

It was the fourth largest flood on record for the Baton River which received between 13mm and 17mm of rain in a 15 minute period earlier in the day.

The MetService said a further 40 to 60mm of rainfall was expected today with possible thunderstorms.

It also advised surface flooding was likely.

Residents in the Motueka Valley who have evacuated their families are being asked to make contact with police to advise them of their safety.

- NZPA, NEWSTALK ZB