Many Westport residents are facing the long weekend in temporary accommodation as the Buller District braces for another deluge.
Authorities today ordered low-lying areas to evacuate as river levels rise - and a dam threatens to spill.
The big wait before the big wet.
Street after street, ready for the worst.
“Everyone empty so far - which is great to see," member of the Selwyn District response team Barry Elford says.
Authorities moved in to help residents move out.
his decision is being made to safeguard people’s lives. Every household in the area under the evacuation order will need to leave as soon as possible," Buller Mayor Jamie Cleine said.
It’s a familiar situation, but it doesn’t get easier for Westport locals.
"A wee bit disappointed, I'd like to have been able to stay here a wee bit longer but you know they say we'd better do it," a local said.
Mandatory evacuation orders covering much of the town’s lower-lying areas either side of the Buller River.
"People with pets should take those as well and be prepared to be away from home for up to three days," Cleine said.
Forecasting shows the worst is yet to come.
"In terms of Westport and Westport North they are likely to see the greatest intensities of rainfall tonight from 5pm through to at least 10pm and potentially easing off between there and 1pm tomorrow morning," West Coast Civil Defence group controller Te Aroha Cook says.
Further north at Waimangaroa, a dam under pressure is threatening the rural settlement.
"By the sound of it yeah the Rochford Dam looks to have blown out or spilt over or something like that and some of the locals said they heard a bang," emergency services worker said.
These children were rescued by a helicopter, as several households below the dam were moved to safety.
Westport itself could still be cut off, if river levels rise through the night.
"That can't be ruled out. Roads north, Snodgrass towards Karamea would be the first to be cut off," Cleine said.
State Highway 67 near Hector - among a number of roads in the region that have been closed by slips.
Tonight locals are held up in temporary accommodation.
"Is to hopefully stay at our friend's place just out of town, she's kindly going to put us and our little dogs up," evacuee Kathy Dobson says.
Others opt for the pub.
"Go have a beer I think," one resident says.
No matter how wet it gets, some can still feel a bit dry.
