Massive storm hits Rotorua

Lake Tarawera and the last bit of sun shine before the thunder storm arrived. Photo / supplied

Rotorua is being hit by a thunder, lightning and hail as a massive storm hits the region, leading to flooding and power cuts.

The storm hit just after 4.30pm and cut power to some areas of the district.

Hail was reported in McDowell St in the Springfield suburb of Rotorua with residents reporting that the street "looked just like snow".

One resident said it was so bad, it blocked his garage door and he was unable to get in.

"I have got sails outside and they are filled up with hail and have just collapsed."

He said the rain was coming inside his house and making a "hell of a mess".

The sudden heavy rain and hail has brought down slips in the Rotoma area and cut power.

There were also reports the strong wind had taken off a roof of a Giltrap Rd building.

There were several lightning strikes per minutes.

Other areas of the city were also described as looking like it was covered in snow. Another resident said Malfroy Rd, Petrie St and Amun Pl were covered in hail.

"There are cars slipping around all over the place. There's bound to be a crash."

United Networks spokesman Danny Gough said their staff were flat our dealing with lightning strikes, trees down and a truck has hit a transformer on Fairy Springs Rd.

Power has been cut to homes in Springfield Rd and other isolated parts of Rotorua as well as Rotoma, Rotoiti, Rotoehu.

There were also powercuts at some retail stores in the central city.