Flooding across Tasman

Consistent rainfall has caused carnage across the region overnight.

Reports of flooding from Rai Valley to Golden Bay have kept emergency crews busy and while the rain continues today, the heaviest downpours have passed.

A heavy rain warning has since been removed  for the region.

Takaka saw 112mm of rainfall in the past 24 hours with the North West ranges being hit with 150.

There has been a minor slip on Cable Bay Rd which remains closed and surface flooding has forced the closure of State Highway 6 between Hira and Rai Valley.

Maitai Valley Rd which was previously closed has since reopened.

Nelson Tasman Civil Defence public information manager Paul Shattock says crews are now working on minor clean ups.

Nelson was less significant with just 30mm recorded at the airport.

Metservice meteorologist David Miller says it was a warm, humid, air flow originating in the tropics which brought the downpour.

"Because it was slow moving  some decent rainfall was able to accumulate."

David says while the rain will continue through the weekend, the heaviest is on its way up to the North Island.

Nelson Tasman Civil Defence has reported  surface flooding across roads, East to West in Golden Bay including Wainui, Pōhara, Puramahoi, Onekaka, Rockville and Ferntown.

They ask that people stay at home and avoid driving on the roads unless there is an urgent need and to avoid floodwaters as they may contain debris or could be contaminated.

A number of locals have had to pump water from their yards from Rai Valley to Pōhara.