Cloud and occasional rain is forecast for Nelson.

Fields and paddocks now look more like rivers, and streets resemble streams.

The Nelson region has been devastated by wild weather. Video / NZ Herald / George Heard / Tim Cuff / Supplied

Dramatic rescues, 500-plus evacuated, and fears recovery could take years.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are thinking of affected New Zealanders.

A tenant reportedly had a lucky escape after sleepout plunged down a steep slope.

MetService Severe weather: August 19th - 21st.

MetService Christchurch weather: August 20th.

MetService National weather: August 12th - 21st.

More than 400 homes have had to be evacuated in the Nelson area.

Flooding on State Highway 10 north of Kāeo. Video / Supplied

An ongoing marine heatwave event around NZ has broken records - and worsened storms.

Access to the Nelson home was blocked by a slip with no other way to exit.

A Nelson resident still recovering after an operation had to be lifted out of his home on Thursday night. Video / Victoria Fisher

Nelson-Tasman faces a long road to recovery as wet weather continues across NZ, why firefighters are walking off the job and Gaurav Sharma keeps swinging in the latest New Zealand Herald headlines. Video / NZ Herald

Three fire trucks are currently at the scene.

A storm continues to create havoc across New Zealand with more rain to fall.

MetService National weather: August 18th - 20th.

MetService Christchurch weather: August 19th.

MetService Wellington weather: August 19th.

MetService Auckland weather: August 19th.

Nelson resident Paul Maskell spoke from Devenish Place, where flooding has destroyed the road. Video / George Heard

More rain is forecast for the city - and heavier - throughout the day.

'We were told we had five minutes to get out.'

Heavy rain, flooding and state of emergency in Nelson, massive blaze still burning at Christchurch scrap yard and misinformation group pushing followers to apply for key general election roles in the latest New Zealand Herald headlines. Video / NZ Herald

A state of emergency was declared in Nelson, the West Coast and Buller as heavy rains continued to hammer the country. Video / Tim Cuff / George Heard / Phil G-J / Alison Boswijk / Terra Firma Engineering Limited / Supplied

Niwa has warned of a '48-hour deluge' for the northern and western South Island.

Severe rain has caused slips and closed roads around the Nelson region. Video / Phil G-J / Alison Boswijk / Terra Firma Engineering Limited / Supplied