Westland High School in Hokitika has been instructed by Civil Defence to close from 1pm with heavy rain on the West Coast causing flooding in the region.
The closure of State Highway 6 had been extended from Woodstock Rimu Road near Hokitika to south of Fox Glacier due to further slips on the Fox Hills between Franz Josef and Fox Glacier.
There is also extensive flooding across five kilometres of SH6 at Evans Straight, north of the Whanganui River.
Video posted to Facebook by South Westland Mayor Bruce Smith shows water cascading down a road.
Surface flooding remains a problem along other sections of the West Coast, and drivers are urged to take extra care by the transport agency.
State Highway 73 from Arthur's Pass to Otira is also being affected by surface flooding and strong winds.
NZ Transport says extra care should be taken, especially for caravans, motorcycles or high-sided vehicles.
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