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Fire services in Westport have been stretched to the limit with torrential rain causing flooding in and around town.
Westport chief fire officer Pat O'Dea said the phones were running hot with calls from people whose homes had been affected.
"We've got serious surface flooding in Westport, probably the worst I can remember," Mr O'Dea said.
"We've got pumps, appliances and crews out everywhere -- and the calls are coming in by the minute."
He said there were no evacuations or apparent danger to residents, but some motorists were not helping the situation with their driving habits sending waves into dwellings.
"Police are closing roads because of idiots driving through at high speeds and losing their brakes..."
Mr O'Dea said the rain had eased by late morning but described the initial downpour as a "cloudburst".
Police reported slips and surface flooding occurring around Charleston in between Westport and Greymouth.
A spokesman said flooding was expected to abate as tide went out. Heavy rainfall was continuing.
- NZPA
