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Torrential rain in the lower North Island last night closed State Highway 1, cut off a beach settlement and caused widespread flooding.
One farm had lost power and Levin's water treatment plant was shut down when flood debris overloaded its filter system.
The road between Levin and Otaki was closed for two hours. The Ohau stopbanks breached at Muhunoa West Rd, with water reported to be rising at 10cm an hour before 6pm.
A record 259mm of rain fell in the Tararua Ranges in the 24 hours to 3pm, swelling rivers and streams. The previous 24-hour record for rainfall in the area was 162.5mm. The heavy rain was due to ease off overnight.
"The Otaki [river] has gone from an absolute minimum flow to up near 800 cubic metres a second and the Waitohu has gone from virtually a dribble up to around 80 cubic metres a second," said Sergeant Noel Bigwood.
Te Horo Beach Rd was also flooded after the Mangaone Stream overflowed, and Mr Bigwood said the stream had gone from a flow of about three cubic metres a second to nearly 30.
He said Waikawa Beach Rd was closed near SH1 - isolating residents and holidaymakers.
But the Metservice has now lifted it's heavy rain warning for northern Auckland and Northland.
Earlier the forecaster had warned that areas between the Bay of Islands and Orewa could get up to 80mm of rain overnight.
Weather ambassador Bob McDavitt said that has now been downgraded and the drizzle in Auckland is clearing up.
"It looks as though it's moving east. I don't know if it is going to come back to us, I don't think so, it looks as though the front is on its way," Mr McDavitt said.
He said the rain clouds over Horowhenua have also cleared and the North Island could expect a fine weekend.
- NZPA, NZ HERALD STAFF
