Civil Defence staff are standing by on the West Coast as heavy rain rolls in.  

The wet weather is expected to batter Westland and the Grey Districts, with the worst arriving around midday between Otira and inland from Haast. 

West Coast Civil Defence Te Aroha Cook told Tim Dower that staff have been deployed to emergency operation centres in Westland, Greymouth, Franz Joseph, and Haast, to manage any escalations in the situation. 

She says councils will consider a declaration if more resources are required. 

Cook says locals know the drill, and they're working to ensure tourists are aware of the risk areas. 

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• West Coast braces for 800mm of rain, Franz Josef river rising rapidly