UPDATED 11:43am — Widespread flooding in the Kapiti district has caused rivers and streams to rise and some residents have been evacuated from homes in Moa and Tui roads in Raumati, Kapiti Council said on its Facebook page.

The Emergency Management Centre in Paraparaumu had been “fully activated” and an evacuation centre had been set up at Te Newhanga Kapiti Community Centre, with Raumati South School on standby.

The rain was expected to ease this afternoon, but a further 40mm was expected to fall this evening, the council said.

“We’ve hit the five-year flood level limit at the Waikanae River and it’s breached its banks.”

Our other streams and rivers are faring okay, however please avoid heading to waterways. We want to keep people safe.

Raumati Beach resident Jane Bly said a creek that runs through her property had burst its banks

“We’ve lived here for 18 years and it’s flooded once before but I’ve never seen it like this.”

Mrs Bly said her house was elevated so not at risk of flooding.

“I feel sorry for the people on the other side of the creek in the low-lying area,” she said.

Torrential rain has also caused the Hutt River in Lower Hutt to burst its banks, threatening vehicles parked in a local carpark.

Owners of vehicles parked in the Riverbank Carpark on Rutherford Street are being advised to urgently move their vehicles, a Hutt City Council spokeswoman said.

The flooding had closed Block Road and was threatening to close Harcourt Werry Drive.

“But obviously with more rain forecast, we’ve got people keeping a very close eye [on the situation].”

Drivers were asked to take care on the roads, she said.

So far no residents had been evacuated from their homes, but the council was monitoring the situation.

An NZME. News reporter in Lower Hutt said flood waters had reached the the city’s main road High Street and were threatening businesses.

“Workers are out on the street and the waters are about to reach the businesses.”

Roundabouts were underwater, she said.

Slip blocks state highway

A slip has completely blocked part of State Highway 1 on the Kapiti Coast this morning.

The coastal stretch of State Highway 1 between Paekakariki and Pukerua Bay will be closed for several hours.

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Wild weather: Kapiti Coast

New Zealand Transport Agency spokesman Mike Seabourne said all motorists should delay journeys in the area until further notice.

Detours are unavailable because the Paekakariki Hill Road is also affected by slips and flooding. Train services have also been suspended.

Contractors were on the scene removing the slip, which is about 40 cubic metres in volume, Mr Seabourne said.

“It’s been one of the wettest weeks in recent memory, and this has taken its toll by causing slips across the local transport network.

“We know how frustrating it is to miss appointments, work and other commitments, and we assure motorists that our contractors will be working furiously to get the road safely reopened.”

Conditions across the entire transport network were slippery so it was important any motorists watch following distances and speed, he said.

Motorists should also prepare in advance for travel plans later in the day, he said.

A slip has completely blocked part of State Highway 1 on the Kapiti Coast. Photo / Supplied

– NZME