Deluge brings Wellington region to a standstill

The capital is all but cut off after torrential rain caused flooding and slips in the lower North Island, closing road and rail links and forcing people from their homes.

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Creek by Tawa railway station showing flood line. Photo: RNZ/Skye Bothma

Tawa mall showing flood damage. Photo: RNZ/Skye Bothma

Tawa mall shops. Photo: RNZ/Skye Bothma

Tawa NewWorld staff cleaning up, removing make-shift sand bags of flour. Photo: RNZ/Skye Bothma

Houses flooded in Porirua. Photo: RNZ / Kate Gudsell

The entrance to Kokiri Marae, in Seaview, Lower Hutt. Photo: RNZ/Alexa Cook.

Justin Patterson in Paraparaumu was forced to move out of his house yesterday because of flooding. Photo: RNZ / Gareth Thomas

Flooding at CrossFit Porirua. Photo: Supplied.

Emergency kayaks in Kapiti. Photo: Supplied.

Commuters head inside Wellington Railway Station for shelter and news of when they can expect to be able to start their journeys home. Photo: Shannon Gillies.

A picture of a galaxy sits on Wellington Railway station's departure screen as it becomes apparent putting a time up for people trying to get home may be a little farfetched. Photo: Shannon Gillies.

Wellington Commuters wait to hear how they will be getting home. Photo: Shannon Gillies

The flow of commuters onto Wellington Railway Station's platforms is controlled by the closing of gates. Only open to let people in when transport is available. Photo: Shannon Gillies

Police wait to help commuters home at Wellington Railway Station. Photo: Shannon Gillies

Wellington's trains sit waiting to work as the city is hit by torrential rain. Photo: Shannon Gillies

Paraparaumu resident Justin Patterson moves his furniture. Photo: RNZ / Gareth Thomas.

A young man in flood waters on the Kapiti Coast. Photo: RNZ / Gareth Thomas.

Hutt River looking south Melling Bridge. Photo: George Bignell

Flooding in Porirua this afternoon. Photo: RNZ/Kate Gudsell.

Melling bridge under pass. Photo: George Bignell.

Melling bridge Lower Hutt under pass. Photo: George Bignell.

Commuters try to make their way out of the capital. Photo: Lucy Lawrence.

A carpark next to the Hutt River. Photo: Tim Glasgow

Hutt River flooding. Photo: Tim Glasgow

Flooding in Petone's Jackson Street. Photo: RNZ / Shannon McKenna.

Te Kupe Road in Paraparaumu Beach. Photo: Krystal Lane.

Flooding at a Porirua skate park. Photo: Porirua City Council

Porirua flooding. Photo: Porirua City Council

The 40 cubic metre slip closed the highway. Photo: SUPPLIED / NZTA

Debris on state highway 1 on the kapiti coast

Roads and properties in Raumati under water. Photo: SUPPLIED / Anthony Hughes

Alexander Road, Raumati Beach. Photo: SUPPLIED / Anthony Hughes

The stream that runs under Coastlands Shopping Mall, Paraparaumu. Photo: Shane O'Donnell

Wharemuku Stream at Coastlands overbridge. Photo: RNZ/Chris Reid

Commuters stuck on the Kapiti Coast. Photo: RNZ/Chris Reid

Waikanae River at SH1. Photo: RNZ/Chris Reid.

Photo: RNZ/Chris Reid.

Properties are flooded on the Kapiti Coast. Photo: RNZ / Gareth Thomas

Flooding on State Highway 1 on Kapiti Coast. Photo: SUPPLIED / NZTA

Otaihanga paddocks. Photo: RNZ/Chris Reid

Queen Elizabeth Park. Photo: RNZ/Chris Reid

Roundabout at Otaihanga. Photo: RNZ/Chris Reid

Slip at Raumati South. Photo: RNZ/Chris Reid

When green doesn't mean go: motorists stuck in traffic at Waikanae. Photo: SUPPLIED / Karen Walker

The images in this gallery are used with permission and are subject to copyright conditions.

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