By 1News Reporters
6:52am

Homes were evacuated near Carterton overnight due to rising river levels, as the lower North Island has been lashed by heavy rain this week.


According to RNZ, the homes on Gladstone Road were not far from the Tauweru River. Emergency services decided to evacuate the properties as a precaution.


Meanwhile, in Manawatu-Whanganui, a mobile alert was sent to residents due to the potential for "sudden flooding at Herbertville village from the Wainui River".


The alert stopped broadcasting at 3.33am as river levels along the Wainui
River dropped back.


Several of the severe weather warnings issued by MetService in the midst of torrential rain that lashed Wellington and Wairarapa, as well as other parts
of the lower North Island, were lifted overnight, with just a heavy rain
watch in place for Hawke's Bay from Tutira. Several road snowfall warnings
were also in place.


Residents under the heavy rain watch were told to expect "periods of heavy rain, with peak rain rates of 15 to 25 mm/hr possible this evening and overnight".


"Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria, mainly about the ranges."


There was a "moderate chance" of it being upgraded to a warning.


The Te Awanga Point Holiday Park near Hastings was also evacuated last night
as it is close to the Tukituki River.


Today's forecast for Wellington shows mostly cloudy conditions, with showers and a southerly wind that could be gusty at times.


"Whilst Wellington and Wairarapa Orange Rain Warnings have been lifted, light to moderate rain or showers will continue to affect the region into
Thursday," MetService said.


Several states of emergency remain in place, including for Wellington, Wairarapa and Lower Hutt, where residents were urged to "stay alert for slips and landslides".


Several roads across the region remained closed, with SH1 from Kaitoke to Featherston shut due to a bridge washout, and SH53 at Waihenga Bridge shut
due to rising water levels. Multiple lanes on SH1 between Ellice Street and Adelaide Road were closed due to flooding. Caution was advised on SH58 from Pauatahanui to Haywards due to surface flooding.


SH2 over the Remutaka Hill reopened to traffic after temporary repairs overnight.

"The highway, at Bridge 2 on the Featherston side of the hill, suffered scour damage and was severely undercut by flooding during this week's storm," an
NZTA spokesperson said.


"Contractors have worked through the night to repair and rebuild the approach to the bridge, with work completed shortly before 6:20 am today."


Several bus stops remained closed across the city, with Metlink advising that further disruptions to bus services were likely.


The search for missing Karori man Philip Sutton was expected to continue
today.

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Raspberry Pi/32)
* Origin: S.W.A.T.S BBS Telnet swatsbbs.ddns.net:2323 (63:10/102)