Severe flooding on west coast of New Zealand

A local state of emergency has been declared due to severe flooding on the West Coast of New Zealand. At least 200 people were evacuated from the town of Franz Josef. Some hotels were flooded. Flooding also hit Nelson and Tasman, and trees have brought down power lines in Auckland.

Advice

The public is advised not to swim at Tahunanui Beach, Waimea Estuary and Nelson Haven until Sunday morning.

State Highway 60 at Riwaka, and between Upper Takaka and Collingwood is closed at this time due to flooding.