Dozens of people are stuck on either side of a buckled bridge in Upper Hutt, as floods hit the lower North Island from Lower Hutt to Waikanae.

The Bridge Rd bridge, off Akatarawa Rd in Birchville, Upper Hutt, has "slumped" in the middle, and no cars can get across.

There have also been 20 requests for help in Kapiti with six people asking for sangbags to protect properties.

stuff.co.nz A bridge above a heavy-flowing Hutt River has buckled, cutting off road access to homes.

Local residents examine the buckled bridge. Photo: KEVIN STENT / FAIRFAX NZ

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Bridge Rd residents who couldn't cross to the bridge home should find somewhere else to stay for the night, the Upper Hutt City Council said.

The council said it was trying to work out a way for residents to cross the river safely after the bridge collapsed at 11am, but said it was "important" no one tried to cross the river by themselves.

The Bridge Rd bridge, off Akatarawa Rd in Birchville, Upper Hutt, has "slumped" in the middle. Photo: TOMMY LIVGINSTON

It said residents stuck at home should stay there, and check their emergency supplies, especially water. Water and gas were cut off to Bridge Rd homes.

The Bridge Rd bridge from the "stranded" side. Photo: DAVE LEMONBY

Wastewater pipes that were thought to be leaking have been tested and given the all clear. But residents were warned against drinking water from the Hutt River. Water collected from other sources should be boiled before drinking.



Emergency services received a 111 call at about 11am about the bridge, Fire communications shift manager Chris Dalton said.

"There are houses on one side, the only way out is that bridge. It's up to the council engineers to find out what to do with it now."

The council said it was looking at "alternative ways" to get water and gas to the community, including pumping water across via a fire hose.

Power was still running for the residents. Police were trying to access the homes by a bush track to get to the other side to warn residents.

Shay Aslett, 18, is stuck along at the family home on Bridge Rd, with his mother and brother trapped on the other side of the bridge.

Locals watch the damaged bridge near Upper Hutt. Photo: BRETT COX

It looked to him like the centre structure of the bridge had slipped in the flood waters. "It has pushed both sides of the bridge up while bringing the centre of the bridge down."

Carolyn Gratton said the biggest concern about being trapped was for parents who were stranded and unable to pick up their children from school.

"I spoke with one grandfather who has managed to make arrangements for someone to pick his grandchildren up, I'm not sure what kind of arrangements people will make" she said.

She said the road was accessible by foot by way of Totara Park. "We can get out that way on foot but it would be a hike," she said.

Susan Jamieson was home for the day when a colleague called her to say the bridge was out so she went to check it out.

A local man inspects the underside of the damaged bridge. Photo BRETT COX

"It reminds me of the bridges in Christchurch after the earthquake."

Having lived in the spot for 20 years, her and her husband had often talked about what would happen if their community was isolated in an emergency.

Her husband planned to take a 20 minute bush walk home while her adult daughter was staying with a friend.

Warren Jennings, who has lived in the area for 30 years, believed wear and tear from logging trucks had caused the slump.

Over 100 people lived across the bridge, he said.

"Over the years there has been constant wear and tear. It's past its used by date, simple as that," he said.

Members of the public were gathering at the bridge to see the damage.

A slip has cut off the Akatarawa Rd. Photo: KAPITI DISTRICT COUNCIL

Further north, Akatarawa Rd has been closed on the Upper Hutt side due to a slip, while Te Horo Beach Rd is flooded in two places, with water flows high, and Otaki's Convent Rd is close to overflowing.

Driving needs a careful hand on Te Horo Beach Rd.

An Upper Hutt City Council spokesperson said a team of engineers were at the scene assessing the bridge.

"The Bridge Rd bridge in Birchville is currently impassable. We are going to be assessing the impact to residents," she said.

Waikanae River starting to overflow.

Wellington Region Emergency Management regional manager Bruce Pepperell said his office had been monitoring the rain fall and keeping a close eye on the Hutt River and rivers in Kapiti.

Upper Hutt City Council was taking charge of the slumped bridge, he said.

In Lower Hutt, a carpark has been flooded by the Hutt River. A tow company has been called to the Riverbank car park, Lower Hutt, to move at-risk cars, after rising river levels saw the carpark flooded.

Owners of vehicles parked in the carpark have been urged to move their cars to higher ground.

Nearby Block Rd, on the western side of the river, is also closed.

Meanwhile, Kapiti Coast District Council has had about 20 requests for help, six of which were requests for sandbags, council spokeswoman Janice McDougall said.

Staff have been sent to pump out three properties – at Te Kupe St and Marine Pde in Paraparaumu Beach, and in the reserve land at the end of Makora Rd, Otaihanga.

"We're not aware of any homes having been flooded – just sections and possibly one garage at this stage.

"The heavy rain has eased. It is likely that river levels in Kapiti have peaked and will fall over the afternoon.

"We have not seen any significant impacts from the king tide."

Kapiti Coast District Council water reticulation staffer Flip Coetzer pumps water from a driveway in Otaihanga.

The council was advising people to stay away from rivers, including rivermouths, and streams. A small slip on Otaki Gorge Rd is passable by utility vehicles.

"The current estimate is that the road will remain closed to other traffic until later this afternoon."

Otaihanga Domain and Otaraua Park are closed.

The Otaihanga Domain was under water and the Waikanae River had started to overflow in areas around Otaihanga.

The council was advising motorists to take care, with surface flooding across the district.

"Given the weather conditions, parents should consider meeting their children when school ends at 3pm."

Residents of flood prone areas should check their drains are clear and keep an eye on the situation.

The Otaihanga Domain under water.

Serious surface flooding has been reported on Te Horo Beach Rd and Convent Rd in Otaki, while other flooding has been reported at Epiha St, Ocean Road and Makora Rd in Paraparaumu, Hautere Cross Road, Te Kupe Rd and at the corner of Mill Rd and Aotaki St in Otaki and Te Rauparaha St in Waikanae.

A statement from the Wellington Regional Emergency Management Office has advised people to stay away from floodwaters.

The statement added that those who had to go out in floodwater should presume it has been polluted by sewage, and to wash accordingly.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Hutt River and the Waikanae River are overflowing in areas

Lower Hutt's Riverbank carpark is closed due to flooding, and Block Rd on the western side of the river, is closed.

Upper Hutt's Bridge Rd bridge is closed. Akatarawa Rd is closed due to a slip on the Upper Hutt side.

Otaihanga Domain and Otaraua Park are closed.

Otaki Gorge Rd is only open to utility vehicles.