Residents are being urged to avoid the scene of a slip in Greymouth with more rain likely to be on the way.
The slip yesterday blocked access to more than 50 homes in Arnott Heights.
Mayor Tania Gibson said no homes were at risk, and Grey District Council said there were no reports of personal injury.
In an update this morning, the council said: “The geotechnical engineers on-site have advised there is still movement in the hill and some small slips have occurred overnight.
“Our hard working teams have cleared a lot of debris and aim to establish road access later today.
“However, this is dependent on site stability and will be carefully managed.
“For everyone’s safety, we will most likely close the road again overnight.”
Council staff are on site helping people to get supplies and medication in and out of the area.
“Any residents who need assistance are asked to please speak to the staff on site — they will arrange safe exit if required.”
Amid the work, power will have to be turned off in the area “for some hours” for safety reasons today, the council added, asking residents with any concerns to speak to staff at the scene.
“More rain is forecast over the next few days and this will impact any site works,” the council said.
“Please stay clear of the site if you don’t need to be there and let our teams do their work.
“Thank you to the Arnott Heights community for your patience and perseverance — we know you’re looking after each other.”
Heavy rain elsewhere yesterday saw flooding in Wellington and closed the main road between Nelson and Blenheim for several hours.
Severe weather watches in place
While more rain is expected in Greymouth in the coming days, it is not under a MetService severe weather watch or warning.
A yellow heavy rain watch is in place for the Buller District from 3pm to midnight tonight, the result of a low pressure system.
Meanwhile, “a fast moving front is expected to move east across southern and central New Zealand during Wednesday and Thursday”, potentially leading to severe gales, MetService said.
Yellow strong wind watches are in place for Wellington, Wairarapa and the Marlborough Sounds from 3am to 3pm Thursday; Canterbury High Country from 8pm tomorrow to 6am Thursday; and Fiordland, Southland northwest of Riversdale, the Queenstown Lakes District and Central Otago from 4pm tomorrow to 2am Thursday.
“Please keep up to date with the latest forecasts,” MetService advised.
