UPDATED 10.00pm: About 70 Upper Hutt households remain cut off tonight, with the main access bridge to their rural road impassable -- slumped in the middle while a swollen river rages below.

LISTEN: Newstalk ZB Wellington host Tim Fookes describes the scene with Danny Watson

The Bridge Rd structure is cordoned off and those in their homes can't get out, while others can't get in.

The bridge slumped about 11am today and an Upper Hutt City Council spokeswoman says teams of workers on quad bikesforced their way through a slippery track to check on everyone in the street.

Residents are still advised not to attempt to navigate the track themselves and the priority for the council is widening the access point so vehicles can use it.

Upper Hutt was hit by heavy rain today, but a Metservice spokesman says things will ease tonight and clear tomorrow.

A bulldozer is to be used to create a temporary access for an Upper Hutt community cut off by a bridge collapse.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
• The bridge at Bridge Road has collapsed, cutting off around 70 properties.
• Alternative routes for residents to access their properties are being investigated; it is important that people do not attempt to cross the river at any stage.
• Due to this collapse, water and gas services have been cut to this neighbourhood; Sewage is currently discharging into the Hutt River from pipes impacted by the collapse. Power supply currently seems normal.
• Alternative access to water services is being investigated. Residents are advised not to use the Hutt River as an alternative water supply due to sewage discharge.
• Residents within the affected area are advised to stay at home. Check your emergency supplies, particularly water.
• Affected residents who are not at their properties are advised to seek alternative accommodation.
• Engineers are continuing to assess the bridge to find out what caused the collapse, although it is likely the high river level and its reasonable flow have attributed to the collapse.
• Check the Upper Hutt City Council website www.upperhuttcity.com and Facebook page for further information and regular updates.
At this stage alternative access for both residents and household services has not been determined; however these updates will be supplied through usual channels as soon as information becomes available.

Flooding is also causing problems in other parts of the Wellington region.

A number of roads are closed on the Kapiti Coast, with flooding at Paraparaumu, Otaki and Waikanae.

In Lower Hutt, Block Road is closed, as is the Riverbank carpark.