All Wellington City Council public facilities (including libraries, parks, cemeteries, community centres, Akau Tāngi sports centre and swimming pools) are closed this evening and tomorrow, Tuesday 21 April, due to the red heavy rain warning issued for the Wellington region.

Zealandia, Wellington Museum, Space Place, Capital E and Wellington civic performance venues (St James, Opera House, TSB Events Centre are also closed. The Zoo is likely to be closed but check its Facebook page in the morning for confirmation.

The Southern Landfill will remain open to receive storm debris and rubbish. However, we are encouraging domestic households not to bring rubbish to the landfill site. Rubbish and recycling collection will go ahead tomorrow in the suburbs where it is scheduled. However, if you don’t need to put your rubbish out, please don’t.

Wellington City's Emergency Operations Centre has been activated today following the extremely heavy rain that particularly hit the city's southern and western suburbs overnight. It will continue to be staffed for the duration of the regional state of emergency declared this afternoon.

Wellington City Emergency Controller Vaughan Condron says it is clear there has been some incidences of serious damage to houses, vehicles and other property, particularly in suburbs like Happy Valley, Brooklyn, Berhampore and south Karori.

The overall number of affected properties is relatively small but the damage to some of those properties is severe. Decisions on whether any of the buildings will have to be declared 'Dangerous' and be red- or -yellow-stickered will be on a case-by- case basis.

The City Council, along with community agencies, is assisting a number of families from homes that have either been flooded or impacted by slips.

It is also working with FENZ and other agencies to assist families in South Karori Road who have had access cut off by a slip on the road.

People who have had to evacuate from houses can be accommodated at Welington City Mission's Whakamaru facility on Oxford Street, off Adelaide Road, Mt Cook.

The Council advises people to take extra care on city roads as rainfall continues. There are multiple slips down on suburban roads - and it is possible that manhole covers may lift if heavy rain again overloads stormwater pipes around the city

People are advised to not drive or walk through floodwaters.

City Council building inspectors and welfare staff, along with staff from contractors, are working hard to assist residents of affected properties, and to keep roads clear.

For the latest and most up-to-date information check Wellington City Council’s website and social channels

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