West Coast Emergency Management has started preparing for severe weather.
Orange heavy rain warnings and watches are in place for the Westland District, Otago and Fiordland over the next two days and winds could reach gale force too.
MetService says the Westland event could be upgraded to a red warning.
West Coast Emergency Management Group Manager Claire Brown says an emergency operation centre may need to be set up.
Brown spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
