Rainfall swamps Northland

Motorist braves flooding north of Whangarei on the Whananaki North road. Photo/John Stone

Northland is literally under the pump with the storm drenching the whole region bringing 221mm to Puhipuhi in the 49 hours to 1pm yesterday and even usually-dry Dargaville getting a 59.4mm soaking over the same period.

And there is more to come. The MetService forecast yesterday had the sun peeping out from behind dark clouds today and on Friday and Saturday, but rain was predicted daily for nine days through to Thursday next week.

The MetService also warned the low moving south over the upper North Island last night was expected to bring severe east to northeast gales with gusts up to 120km/h to parts of Northland, with westerly gales behind the low also affecting parts of the region.

Northland Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Group spokesman Graeme MacDonald said that while the region as a whole appeared to be coping well yesterday morning, many places especially in the Far North and Whangarei districts had already experienced more than a month's rain since Sunday, so the intensity of further rain forecast would be crucial.

Flooding was typically limited to low-lying, flood-prone spots, but that could worsen if the rain fell in bursts of 25-30mm an hour in places as forecast.

Winds of the strength predicted last night also had the potential to complicate things further, as they would potentially be strong enough to bring down trees and damage powerlines Mr MacDonald said.

Whangarei district roads closed by flooding yesterday included Whananaki North Rd, Old Russell Rd, Waiotu Block Rd at Hukerenui, Kara Rd and Mangakahia Rd at Pakotai.

Other highways, such as the Otonga Marua Rd, and Jordan Valley Rd at Hikurangi were partly flooded but still negotiable with high vehicles yesterday.

In the Far North district more than 40 mostly rural roads were closed or described as passable with caution at 4pm yesterday.

Closures included Oromahoe Rd, Waiomio Rd and Towai-Maromaku Rd. Roads in Pangaru, Waimatenui, Okaihau and Broadwood were also shut. A tree brought down by high winds closed Horeke Rd for an hour.

The concern was that high tide, around 5.30pm, would push already swollen rivers over a number of key Far North roads. Police and roading contractors were keeping a close eye on State Highway 10 at Kaeo, which was already partly inundated at 4pm, and State Highway 12 at Taheke.

The New Zealand Transport Agency, which is responsible for state highways, said it could be forced to close SH10 if the combination of high tide and heavy rain put people at risk.

As of 4pm Far North fire brigades were still waiting to be called out to a weather-related emergency.