Heavy rain warnings for Buller and Westland were upgraded to red by MetService yesterday, with the chance of dangerous river conditions, significant flooding, and slips blocking roads and possibly isolating communities.
Orange rain warnings are in force across Tasman, Nelson and the Marlborough Sounds.
NIWA meteorologist Chris Brandolino says it's like a firehose is blasting down from the tropics.
RNZ reporter Niva Chittock spoke to Susie Ferguson from outside the Emergency Operations Centre in Westport.
