KEY POINTS:
Rain has started falling in the Far North with forecasters predicting sustained heavy rain could dump a further 100mm on the region this evening and overnight.
Northland Civil Defence Manager Graeme McDonald says with the ground already saturated from the weekend storm, and rivers still higher than usual, this new storm is likely to bring worse flooding to both rural and urban areas.
"Most people already know the areas and roads in their local area that are flood-prone and these are likely to be under water again over the next day or so," Mr MacDonald said.
He says officials are monitoring the situation closely and are urging Northlanders to plan ahead rather than be caught out. Mr MacDonald says people should watch out for rapidly rising streams and keep up to date with the latest weather forecasts.
He said high-tides were due to reach their peak at the end of the heavy rain.
The storms are especially bad news for farmers still cleaning up the mess left by the weekend's storm with trees down, roofs ripped off hay barns and dead calves.
have come at calving time and Northland Federated Farmers dairy chairman Ashley Cullen said sheep farmers will be facing similar problems with lambs on the way.
"I was talking to one farmer who lost five cows in the last two days," Mr Cullen said.
He said the cows could be worth up to $2500 each.
"We're not talking small dollars. He hasn't just lost the cow but also the production for the year too. Even at a minimum of 250kg at $7, you work that out," Mr Cullen said.
He said it is an anxious wait for farmers as the rain continues to fall today.
"There's not a lot you can do. You've just got to minimise the damage to the pasture," Mr Cullen said.
He said farmers are putting their cattle on concrete pads, sawdust areas and yards to minimise the damage but that can make animals lame.
"If you damage a paddock at this time of year, you basically write it off for three months," Mr Cullen said.
He said farmers are in the hands of the gods.
"All you can do is use what resources you have on the farm and close our eyes for the rest," Mr Cullen said.
Auckland will be sheltered by the Coromandel Peninsula from the northeast blast, although more than 50mm of rain is expected in the city in the 24 hours from 3pm today.
The Manukau and Waitemata Harbours could be treacherous for shipping tonight, with 35-knot winds expected to gust up to 45 knots.
The Ports of Auckland suspends operations of its 70m-high ship-to-shore cranes and its three-storey-tall straddle carriers when winds reach 40 knots, with only hoists remaining in action.
But it is Northland, the Coromandel and the Bay of Plenty - which were struck by heavy rain and wind over the weekend - that are in the new storm's bullseye.
Each area is likely to flood, with 150mm of rain expected to fall on already waterlogged fields and hillsides over the next 24 hours, MetService weather ambassador Bob McDavitt said.
MetService yesterday warned people in those areas to watch for rising streams and rivers, to be wary of slips, and for those in exposed places to beware gale-force winds.
Thursday and Friday will likely bring lower temperatures to Auckland and an increased chance of thunder and lightning in the city.
- NZ HERALD STAFF
