- Wild weather is causing power outages and road closures across the North Island due to slips and flooding.
- Aucklanders are warned of potential harbour bridge lane closures and strong winds, with gusts up to 100km/h.
- Gisborne and Coromandel face heavy rain warnings, with MetService advising caution for flash flooding and slips.
Auckland commuters are bracing for the worst of the wild rain to hit during rush hour as the storm gripping the North Island moves on to the region.
MetService is advising the heaviest rain is due to fall between 3pm and 6pm before it advances on to the Coromandel and Gisborne, with both areas facing heavy rain warnings.
Homes across the North Island were without power and roads closed after slips and flash flooding.
Aucklanders are being warned to secure outdoor furniture and prepare for short-notice harbour bridge lane closures as a slow-moving subtropical low affects the North Island.
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Gisborne is also preparing for intense rainfall, with Tairāwhiti Civil Defence warning of flash flooding and slips.
Earlier, Northland was battered with strong winds and intense rainfall causing slips and flash flooding.
A heavy rain warning has been issued until 10pm for Coromandel, with Auckland and the far north of Tairāwhiti under heavy rain watches.
Auckland was issued a strong wind watch until noon today, with MetService warning easterly winds could approach severe gale in exposed places.
Winds with gusts of 100km/h are battering exposed east coast areas with the Auckland Harbour Bridge experiencing 93km/h gusts.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) urged caution on the bridge and said reduced speed limits and lane reductions were possible until 4pm.
Crews will be closely monitoring state highways while MetService warnings are in place.
“NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi is advising all road users to take extreme care, especially high-sided vehicles and motorcyclists in the wind and for those who come across any surface flooding, from rising rivers and streams nearby,” NZTA said.
Meanwhile, nearly 700 properties are without power in Whangamatā.
Powerco is reporting 673 homes without power today. Another outage in Thames cut power to at least two more homes.
Further south, an orange heavy rain warning will come into force for Gisborne at 4pm and is expected to last until 8am tomorrow.
MetService is warning residents to expect 80 to 100mm of rain.
Earlier, 1500 homes lost power in Northland and multiple roads were forced to close because of slips and flooding.
The Whangārei District Council said several slips and fallen trees had blocked Finlayson Brook Rd, Marua Rd and Memorial Drive.
Hundreds of properties were also without power in the Far North.
Top Energy says 557 customers have had their electricity supply cut in Hokianga and 89 in Awarua. Its website says a tree fell on lines shortly after 7am, affecting the Awarua supply.
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