Hazel Kale's home is damaged after flooding today in Plimmerton, north of Wellington, but she's not too concerned

About 15 houses in the seaside town had to be evacuated because of flooding.

State Highway 1 was also closed between Plimmerton and Paekakariki for several hours, but is now open after waters receded.

Kale says they've started the clean up, and it's not the first time there's been flooding in town.

She says she went to check on her neighbours, thinking it was no different from previous flooding.

She returned so find water levels higher than when she left: above her knees.

Kale says others on her street were hit worse, but emergency services have been helping out all day.