Fire and Emergency New Zealand is urging the public not to drive through flood water as the top of the South Island continues to be hammered with rain.

FENZ is supporting Civil Defence in both Nelson-Tasman and Marlborough in the response to widespread flooding across the top of the South Island.

Response Coordinator Steve Trigg said crews are rescuing people trapped in vehicles, assisting with evacuations and pumping water from flooded homes. As at 11.15am they have responded to 31 calls since 4am today.

Two Fire and Emergency Specialist Water Rescue Teams have been deployed to Nelson and Blenheim. They are providing additional support to local brigades.

FENZ has activated its Local Coordination Centre in Nelson to coordinate its response activities across the whole top of the South area.

Trigg is warning people not to drive through floodwater and to respect all ‘road closed’ signs.

“It’s impossible to judge the depth of the water so when people become stranded they are in danger of drowning,” Trigg said.

The Specialist Water Rescue Team has already undertaken a rescue from a vehicle in Upper Moutere this morning while other rescues around the top of the South have been carried out by local brigades.