1 dead, hundreds disrupted as heavy rains cause flooding in New Zealand's capital Wellington

Emergency services personnel clear up damage to Baycorp Stadium after a tornado passed through in Mount Maunganui, New Zealand, Thursday May 14, 2015. Heavy rain caused flooding Thursday that left one man dead, halted train service and blocked highways during the evening commute. Wild weather also hit other parts of the North Island, with a small tornado lifting roofs from homes in the town of Mount Maunganui. (Alan Gibson/New Zealand Herald via AP) NEW ZEALAND OUT, AUSTRALIA OUT (The Associated Press)

Traffic negotiates a flooded highway north of Wellington on State Highway One, New Zealand, Thursday, May 14, 2015. Heavy rain caused flooding that left one man dead, halted train service and blocked highways during the evening commute. Crews struggled to clear highways, and the shutdown of Wellington's train services delayed travel for many. (Mark Mitchell/New Zealand Herald via AP) NEW ZEALAND OUT, AUSTRALIA OUT (The Associated Press)

Students Connor Williams, left, and Cooper Wattam use a kayak to cross a flooded paddock in Paraparaumu, north of Wellington, New Zealand, Thursday, May 14, 2015. Heavy rain caused flooding Thursday that left one man dead, halted train service and blocked highways during the evening commute. Crews struggled to clear highways, and the shutdown of Wellington's train services delayed travel for many. (Mark Mitchell/New Zealand Herald via AP) NEW ZEALAND OUT, AUSTRALIA OUT (The Associated Press)

One man is dead while hundreds of commuters suffered disruptions in New Zealand's capital Wellington after heavy rainfall caused flooding and mudslides across the region.

Crews struggled to clear highways Thursday and the city's train services were shut down, causing long delays for many.

Wellington's Mayor Celia Wade-Brown urged people to find alternative accommodation in the city for the night rather than trying to make it home and even opened the downtown library for those who wanted to stay.

Police said they found the body of an 80-year-old man in Petone near Wellington in floodwater near his abandoned car, which was partially submerged with the keys in the ignition.

Several areas around Wellington recorded rainfall of over 10 centimeters (4 inches) Thursday.

The region is home to about 450,000 people.