A person has been rescued from a vehicle trapped in floodwaters near Mt Lyford as heavy rain continues to cause major disruption across North Canterbury.

A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesperson said its specialist water rescue teams freed the person this morning, supported by members of the Waiau Volunteer Fire Brigade.

The incident was reported shortly after 3am and the occupant of the vehicle was brought to safety about 7am.

The teams also responded to another incident on Inland Kaikōura Road, where two vehicles crashed about 6.40am.

Made up of Canterbury firefighters trained in water response, the two teams were sent to Kaikōura yesterday afternoon ahead of the forecast heavy rainfall and are supporting volunteer firefighters from Kaikōura and surrounding brigades.

Fire and Emergency was asking people to stay off roads affected by flooding or slips.

“Driving through flood waters is dangerous and puts lives at risk, not just for the driver and passengers, but for the first responders who are called to rescue them,” the agency said.

It comes as State Highway 1 has been closed between Cheviot and Kaikōura due to concerns about rising river levels.

NZ Transport Agency said the Conway River is flooding onto SH1 at an area known locally as Siberia.

With Inland Route 70, also known as Inland Kaikōura Road, closed too, motorists are being urged to consider other inland routes, including State Highway 7, or delay travel.

NZTA said people should prepare for the closures to remain in place throughout the day.

A rare MetService red heavy rain warning is in place for Marlborough and Canterbury between Ward and Hanmer Springs, and southeast of the Awatere Valley, including the Kaikōura Range.

NZTA said the red warning carried a threat to life from dangerous river conditions, significant flooding, slips and impassable roads.

Further updates on state highway closures and restrictions are available on NZTA’s Journey Planner website.