Emergency services are door knocking homes in Kaikōura and firefighters have carried out multiple water rescues as heavy rain continues to cause significant flooding across the district.

Kaikōura District Council said residents in the Hawthorn Road and Gillings Lane areas were being visited by emergency services on Tuesday evening due to rising water levels and ongoing flood risk.

“Residents in these areas should be prepared to leave if requested by emergency services and follow all instructions from responders on the ground,” the council said.

“If you are asked to evacuate, please leave promptly and do not return until authorities advise it is safe to do so.”

The Kaikōura Memorial Hall is operating as the community welfare centre for anyone requiring support or emergency accommodation.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand crews responded to a series of rescues across Canterbury on Tuesday.

The Kaikōura Volunteer Fire Brigade rescued two people from the water where the Cribb Creek bridge had been washed out, and helped the town’s Civil Defence team evacuate residents.

The Hanmer Springs Volunteer Fire Brigade used ropes to rescue two people from a vehicle in a ravine in the afternoon.

A Specialist Water Rescue Team, deployed to Kaikōura on Monday ahead of the heavy rain, worked alongside local firefighters on rescues and evacuations, including joining the Waiau Volunteer Fire Brigade to rescue a man from a river near Mt Lyford early on Tuesday morning.

Residents and pets were also evacuated from a property on Schoolhouse Road in Kaikōura.

The Hororata, Conway Flat and Southbridge brigades also responded to weather related incidents across Canterbury.

The council said heavy rain was expected to continue into the evening and while some areas had seen water levels reduce, floodwaters remained present in a number of locations and conditions could change rapidly.

Residents are urged to stay away from floodwaters, rivers, streams and damaged roads, obey all road closures, and not return to any evacuated property until advised it is safe.

A number of roads remain closed due to flooding, erosion and safety concerns, and KiwiRail services have been cancelled while assessments of transport infrastructure continue.

The council asked residents to conserve drinking water as several supply schemes were under stress.

Anyone requiring prescription medication should access pharmacy services through Kaikōura Hospital on Wednesday during medical centre working hours, rather than West End Pharmacy.

Stock owners experiencing animal welfare issues due to flooding or access restrictions can contact welfare staff member Jo York on 022 061 4558.

The council said further updates would be provided if there were significant changes to conditions overnight.