Flash flood swamps Paekakariki 

A flash flood poured through Paekakariki north of Wellington just after 10:00pm on Thursday after more heavy rain and an electrical storm hit the lower North Island.

A blocked culvert on the Paekakariki Hill burst and sent water into the town.

Kapiti Civil Defence Controller Don McGuire says a boulder lodged in the culvert caused a deluge down the hillside, similar to the rock and mudslide that closed the road and railway line for several days last October. He says some cars were floated in the floodwaters. Residents worked through the night to rescue people trapped in their cars.

It is the second time in less than six months that the Kapiti Coast town has been inundated.

Flooding also closed State Highway One just north of Paekakariki at Mackay's Crossing but police said it would be re-opened shortly.

Water is also washing over rail lines in the area, stopping train services. The Rimutaka Hill Road north of Wellington was also closed due to a number of slips. Some 25 motorists had a lucky escape after they were trapped by mudslides. Many other roads in the greater Wellington region were affected by surface flooding.

There is surface water in parts of the capital and commuter trains are disrupted again.

For information on road closures go to the Automobile Association's website.