Flooding in the Grey District on Friday. Photo: Grey District Council
More heavy rain is set to fall on the West Coast of the South Island after flooding and slips shut key routes in Grey District and Buller.
However, Grey District's mayor Tania Gibson says they've come out of the downpour quite lightly.
The rain drenched the Grey District and Buller on Friday causing flooding and slips.
Emergency operations centres were activated in the Grey and Bulller districts, with the Grey District Council advising people in flood-prone areas that they might need to evacuate if they feel uncertain.
An orange heavy rain warning remains in place for northern Buller until Sunday morning.
Southern Buller has been downgraded to a heavy rain watch.
MetService says Buller can expect between 130mm and 150mm of rain on top of what has already fallen - and it's also warning of possible thunderstorms.
Updated Watches and Warnings
— MetService (@MetService) October 9, 2025
Buller and Grey have been upgraded to Orange Heavy Rain Warnings️ It's looking like a wet few days through there
Canterbury High Country has also been upped to an Orange Warning for Wind
Head to https://t.co/qHyE5zzql5 for full details pic.twitter.com/dYNfGFZ7wI
Gibson says short sharp downpours like this in the region happen a couple of times a year and they are well practised at dealing with them.
She says the cleanup will mostly be slips and debris from flooding.
Slips have blocked some roads during the latest bad weather. Photo: Grey District Council
State Highway 7 north of Stillwater to Ngahere and State Highway 7 between Stillwater and Dobson has reopened after flooding receded, but drivers are warned to remain cautious.
State Highway 73 is now clear between Arthur's Pass village and Kumara Junction. It was shut earlier due to surface flooding and slips.
FINAL UPDATE 9AM, SAT 11 OCT
— NZ Transport Agency - Canterbury & West Coast (@nztacwc) October 10, 2025
SH73 is now CLEAR between Arthur's Pass Village and Kumara Junction. ^AG https://t.co/iZyMimHNJB
NZ Transport Agency has also lifted the wind warning for State Highway 7 between Waipara and Springs Junction, including over Lewis Pass, in Canterbury.
However, there's a strong wind watch for the Canterbury High Country from 9pm Saturday until 11am on Sunday.
Photo: Grey District Council
An orange heavy rain warning has also been issued for the Tasman District west of Takaka through until 9am on Sunday.
Around 130mm to 150mm of rain on top of what has already fallen can be expected - and MetService is also warning of possible thunderstorms.
There are heavy rain watches in place for the Nelson Lakes and the Buller District about and south of Westport until 9am Sunday.
The Tararua Range is also subject to a heavy rain warning until 6pm on Sunday.
Up to 250mm of rain may fall on what of what has already been experienced accompanied by thunder, MetService says.
Wellington, Wairarapa and the Tararua District may be in for some strong nor'west winds approaching gale level from 10pm Saturday until 1pm on Sunday.
Meanwhile, it was a warm and cloudy start for most other areas with showers persisting throughout the day, MetService said on X.
Eastern regions were the exception with clear, sunny skies expected. By 7am Gisborne and Napier had reached 18 degrees Celsius while Kaikōura was on 20 degrees.
Good morning!
— MetService (@MetService) October 10, 2025
It’s a warm and cloudy start for most areas , with showers persisting throughout the day
Eastern regions are the exception – clear, sunny skies are expected there ; making it ideal for an outdoor activity ️♀️️♀️
At 7am, many places are already in… pic.twitter.com/sDUiL19cnX
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