Nelson is cut off from the rest of the country via road as flooding, slips, fallen trees and high river levels close State Highways in and out of the region.
Tākaka, Collingwood and Murchison are also isolated as of mid-morning.
Tresca Forrester, of Waka Kotahi, says people should avoid driving in these areas today, particularly given more rain is falling in Nelson and Marlborough and more roads may well close as river levels and rain peaks later.
“Our crews are working as hard as they can but these slips and debris will take time to clean up and flood waters take time to subside. In some places we have to wait until the river levels have subsided to get access to the slips. Please do not drive if you do not have to or delay your journey until later today and check highways then.”
The road between Hira and Rai Valley has been closed, along with SH60 over the Tākaka Hill. SH6 south of Wakefield is closed as is SH65 south of O’Sullivans Bridge to Shenandoah and Murchison. In Marlborough the road between Renwick and St Arnaud is also closed.
Rocks Rd is back open after high waves caused some of the chain fences to be swept away earlier this morning while the Waimea River at Appleby has flooded the nearby Appleby Recreation Reserve.
At Nelson Airport, some flights have been cancelled this morning but flights this afternoon are expected to fly as scheduled.
Network Tasman are reporting outages in all of Gowan Valley, Owen Valley, Kawatiri Murchison Highway from Nuggety Creek to the Owen after the river washed out power poles. Totaranui is also without power.
Power was out in the Mickell Road, Brooklyn Valley area earlier today but has since been restored.
Tasman Police are urging people to stay home if they can.
A spokesperson says they are continuing to respond to a large number of weather-related call-outs and incidents across the district.
Staff are working with Civil Defence Emergency Management, local councils and other agencies in response to the weather event.
"Heavy rain and surface flooding is making conditions dangerous in many areas. We urge people to avoid any unnecessary travel," says the spokesperson.
Heavy rain warnings remain in place throughout the region until between 3pm and 11pm Saturday.
Highways closed are:
SH60 over the Tākaka Hill, the only road access to Tākaka and Collingwood, between Riwaka and Collingwood https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic/roadclosures/348953
SH6 south of Wakefield between Motupiko and Kohatu https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic/roadclosures/348964
SH65 to the south, O’Sullivans Bridge to Shenandoah and Murchison https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic/roadclosures/348976
In Marlborough SH63 is closed between Renwick and St Arnaud.
https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic/roadclosures/349004
SH6 is also closed north of Renwick to Havelock. https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic/roadclosures/349006
In Nelson/Marlborough, SH6 has closed between Hira and Havelock, with trees over the road, cutting access into Nelson. https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic/roadclosures/349006
