Big wet leaves north awash

Some Northland schools will close today because of the prospects of further flooding.

Last night Northland residents were advised to keep off the roads and stay at home.

Seven schools have said they will close today because of the rain and flooding. Kamo, Tikipunga, Whangarei Boys' and Whangarei Girls' high schools will close, as will Mangakahia Area and Whangaruru schools and Pompallier College.

The Met Service has issued a heavy rain warning for Northland between the Bay of Islands and Whangarei, with up to 150mm possible in some areas.

In the 24 hours until 3pm yesterday, just 6mm of rain had fallen at Tutamoe Hills on Hokianga Harbour, but Puhipuhi, north of Whangarei, had been doused with 123mm. Puhipuhi received a total of 211mm in the past three days and more rain was predicted for last night.

Northland Regional Council spokesman Matt Johnson said it appeared that Whangarei District Council's area was worst hit in the region so far, with flooding in many areas, including Whangarei's central business district, which had had 90mm of rain in 24 hours.

"We've had a month's worth of rain in a couple of days basically."

Mr Johnson said no state of emergency was envisaged anywhere.

Whangarei District Council roading engineer's assistant Simon Megchelse said two roads were closed due to slips or flooding, and it was a waiting game in some areas to see what happened when high tide hit.

"I guess the best thing people can do is stay off the roads if they don't need to be out and about."

The two roads shut were a section of Mangahui Rd, due to slips, and Whananaki North Rd, because of flooding.

Mr Megchelse said Whangarei's CBD surface flooding had subsided.

"It's all dropped away now and it will just depend on how much rain we get and how that's affected with the high tide."

He had not heard of anybody needing evacuation.

The Regional Council listed issues on 19 Whangarei District roads, five Kaipara District roads and six roads in the Far North.

Its emergency management team leader Graeme McDonald warned farmers should move stock to high ground and motorists should take extreme care.

He said [people] should keep an eye on the region's swollen rivers and creeks.

- NZPA