Mandatory evacuations are pending on the West Coast as torrential rain has river levels rising, massive slips have blocked some state highways and power has been cut in some areas.
The Waiho River surged after rising seven metres following 500mm of rain in just 24-hours.
Flash flooding scattered debris across the road blocking access between Franz Josef to Fox, the weather whipping out communications to 400 people.
By the middle of Thursday morning, the worst was over for Westland but West Coast controller Dean Te Aroha Cook said the rainfall concerns remain with Buller.
Westland residents were asked to hand their sandbags over to the Buller district as they brace for the worse.
For those residents who were fell victim to last year’s flood, it's an unwelcome case of deja vu.
"I didn't think this would happen because they told us it was a 100-year flood but two in six months I thought I'd better check my birth certificate to see how old I am," Westport resident Graham Kerr told Newshub.
Kerr just got back into his house a few weeks ago after fixing flood damage from July 2021, but now he's preparing.
"It might be a waste of bloody time I honestly don't know, the more we can do now keep our fingers crossed and hope it doesn't happen I won't mind pulling dry sandbags off believe me."
Kerr's one of many that’s chosen to voluntarily evacuate, but there will be no mandatory evacuations today.
Buller District Mayor Jamie Clenie says tomorrow will allow time if the execution does go ahead.
"The modelling is showing we've got all day tomorrow to execute the evacuation plan which has the potential to be the largest one we've ever attempted I would imagine."
"The aspect that we have with Buller is that once the two bridges close it is landlocked and there is nowhere to take people should the floodwaters get to levels that cause concern," Cook said.
An evacuation point and makeshift medical centre has been set up in Cape Foulwind outside of Westport for residents who can’t stay with friends or family
"The situation here can evolve into something quite major if we have to evacuate in order to prepare for that we need to be ready to move at the drop of hat," St John operations manager Ian Rex said.
The evacuation point and medical centre can provide room for around one thousand people.
"It’s certainly not going to be like five-star accommodation for anybody but it will be safe and organised," Cleine said.
