Article Author:
Associated Press
Nick Perry
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Heavy rain continued to hit New Zealand on Thursday, causing further storm disruptions and road closures. Hundreds of people were forced to flee their homes.
Residents of the northern North Island found themselves stranded after landslides, fallen trees and flooding cut off highway access. Stormy weather has forced some schools to close, airlines to cancel flights and businesses to close.
The storm sank at least one of her sailing ships near Auckland and slid a house in the town of Tahunanui into a valley.
About 230 homes in the town of Nelson were evacuated and remained off-limits on Wednesday after the Mai Tai River flooded. The army patrolled the area through the night.
Resident Robin Reichert told News outlet her staff that she was "utterly shocked" when the street turned into a raging torrent.
"It will be a river in a few minutes," she said. "That's how fast it happens."
Another of her 160 homes in the town of Westport was also temporarily evacuated, and residents were later allowed to return.
Roads across the country were closed due to floods and landslides.
In the Buller area, Mayor Jamie Cleine told reporters that rain had been less than forecast so far, but more rain was on the way.
"I think we got away relatively unscathed on the other side of the district," Crane said. "Several people who chose to self-evacuate last night have said that if they feel okay today, it's fairly safe to return to their properties to check them out during this lull.
Cleine warned of more rain.
