Weather: State of emergency declared for Wellington

A state of emergency has been declared in the Wellington region after it was hit with torrential rain.

Heavy rain warnings in Wellington and Wairarapa have been upgraded to red from 2pm Monday until Tuesday night.

MetService says the forecast rain presents a threat to life from dangerous river conditions, significant flooding and slips.

Wellington Civil Defence Emergency Management (WCEM) said the declaration supports the response to ongoing severe weather, flooding and infrastructure impacts.

It gives responders the powers and co-ordination needed to keep people safe, support evacuations where needed, and manage impacts, group controller Carrie McKenzie said.

"The priority is life safety," McKenzie said.

"We are asking people to take this seriously, follow safety advice, and act early if they are in low-lying or flood-prone areas, which are those that have experienced multiple flooding events in recent years."

There is an increased risk of surface flooding, slips and rapidly rising rivers, with more rain forecast.

WCEM is warning people Wellington residents in low lying and flood prone areas to go somewhere else for the next 24 hours.

It encourages people to act quickly and not wait for official warnings if they think they need to evacuate.

Fire and Emergency says specialist teams have been sent into Wellington.

Wellington fire crews had attended nearly 200 weather related callouts between 2am and 4.30pm Monday.

A red rain warning is in place in Wairarapa and Wellington - excluding Porirua - with up to 150 millimetres of rain expected in parts over the next day and a half.

Te Upoko region manager Bruce Stubbs said up to 20 personnel - with enhanced rescue and water capabilities - had been stationed in Hutt Valley and the Wairarapa today.

"This is where we ask the public to be really safety conscious. Please, we ask people to stay out of the floodwaters - as there's often hidden obstacles or holes that you can't see - and, if flooding does enter your home, turn off any appliances," Stubbs said.

Stubbs urged people to avoid unnecessary travel and call 111 if they feel unsafe or threatened by the weather.

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