Wet, wet, wet

The flood-hit West Coast is bracing itself for a second wave of wet weather, as many parts of the North Island are also told to watch for heavy rain. MetService had forecast a front would move across the country late yesterday and early today, bringing northerly rain to western and northern areas. The forecaster issued a heavy rain watch for Buller and Westland from 6pm yesterday, with 50mm to 70mm expected and storms possible. A heavy rain watch was also in place for the Bay of Plenty ranges east of Opotiki and Gisborne north of Ruatoria, as well as Mt Taranaki from later yesterday to this morning. The rainfall may lead to more slips on the West Coast and Marlborough. There were about 100 people still staying in three evacuation centres on Tuesday, including a school with people camped out in classrooms.