Northland braces for heavy rain and thunderstorms, flooding risk high

MetService are warning flooding may be possible for Northland as a slow-moving front brings heavy rain and the risk of thunderstorms. Photo / NZME

Northland is set to be battered yet again, with heavy rain and severe thunderstorm watches in place over the region.

MetService has updated the heavy rain watch to cover all of Northland until midnight, alongside a severe thunderstorm watch.

Meteorologist Oscar Shiviti said a slow-moving front meant a large accumulation of rainfall would bring localised downpours of between 25 and 40mm an hour.

“A lot of places are at risk of flooding.”

Shiviti urged people to be wary of driving conditions and keep an eye on the forecast.

Flooding has closed State Highway 1 at Te Paki, Cape Rēinga.

NZ Transport Agency has urged motorists to delay their journey as no detour is available.

Some businesses, such as Kawakawa Pharmacy, were concerned about flooding.

The pharmacy wrote on Facebook: “If the water level reaches the pipe, past experience tells us we don’t have long before we are flooded in.

“Please ensure you have a supply of any essential medications, and check that your kaumātua/kuia are covered.”

The Waiomio Valley is cut off to all cars except for 4x4 vehicles after recent heavy rain. Photo / Roddy Pihema.

Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board member Roddy Hapati Pihema said the Waiomio Valley was cut off for all cars except four-wheel drives.

The Kawakawa catchment, where the Waiharakeke River, Otiria and Waiomio streams meet, was swollen from rain.

Pihema said most communities had resources as part of their Civil Defence response if needed.

The Kawakawa catchment where the Waiharakeke River, Otiria Stream and Waiomio Streams meet is swollen from recent downpours. Photo / Roddy Pihema

Civil Defence Northland yesterday said the forecast was “certainly not what we were wishing for”.

“With this heavy rain coming on top of the recent heavy rain, streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and road closures are also possible, and driving conditions may be hazardous.”

A slip on the recently opened Mangamuka Gorge closed State Highway 1 on Sunday. The road reopened yesterday.

Flooding on Sunday reportedly saw vehicles towed and houses flooded in Pāmapūria.

MetService earlier said April had been a wet month for Kerikeri.

The Bay of Islands town has received 490mm of rainfall in April and 790mm this year alone.

The normal rainfall amount for the area in April was about 150mm.

This month had been Kerikeri’s wettest April since records began in 1978, RNZ reported. The previous record, about 60mm lower, was set in 1999.

Brodie Stone covers crime and emergency for the Northern Advocate. She has spent most of her life in Whangārei and is passionate about delving into issues that matter to Northlanders and beyond.