— MetService Severe Weather Info (@MetServiceWARN) May 30, 2022
Thames-Coromandel District Council has warned residents Kennedy Bay Rd is closed due to surface flooding and a large slip blocking Tuateawa Rd just north of Tuateawa and Little Bay.
"The slip is approximately 1km north of Waihirere Drive. Our roading contractor Ventia is sending a crew out there now. At this stage we are hoping to have the road back open to one lane by the end of the day," the council said online.
Rotorua Lakes Council is also urging people to only travel in the area if necessary given the current rainfall, with trees down and surface flooding being reported in various parts of the Rotorua district.
The number of weather-related calls to Rotorua Lakes Council and its contractors has increased in the past hour or so after a reasonably quiet morning, the council said on Facebook.
As well as this, Police are advising Bay of Plenty motorists to take extra care on the roads this evening.
There have been a number of calls for assistance to emergency services due to surface flooding and fallen trees.
"Police urge motorists to drive with extreme caution, particularly in areas where there is surface flooding, as there could be hidden hazards."
MetService meteorologist Luis Fernandes said from 12.30pm to 1pm today Whitianga received 40mm of rain.
Fernandes said the wild weather is the result of low pressure from the west of the country combining with a warm humid air mass, producing very wet weather in some places.
While Northland and Auckland bore the brunt of it last night and this morning, the heavy rainfall has moved east and is mainly affecting the Coromandel.
Visual depiction of the line of 'training' heavy showers / thunderstorms.
While the majority of the rainfall has moved on from Auckland, Fernandes said there was still the possibility of showers and thunderstorms this afternoon.
UPDATE 1:15PM The northbound exit-only lane to Redoubt Rd remains blocked as response crews tend to the flooding. Redoubt Rd northbound off-ramp remains available. Continue to expect some delays through the area. ^LB https://t.co/eTAGEzn6w6
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) May 30, 2022
Earlier today an Auckland motorway was flooded after a band of torrential rain.
MetService meteorologist Luis Fernandes told the Herald the Harbour Bridge saw gusts of up to 80km/h in the early hours of the morning, and the rest of Auckland should batten down the hatches as the wild weather continues.
By mid-morning flooding on State Highway 1 near the East Tamaki off-ramp had forced the closure of the northbound lane, and motorists were being urged to expect delays and drive carefully.
A large slip is blocking Tuateawa Rd just north of Tuateawa and Little Bay. Photo / Thames-Coromandel District Council
Thames Civil Defence controller Garry Towler is urging people to be cautious.
"We still have a lot of rain in the forecast today for both sides of the Coromandel, so keep vigilant, especially on the roads as surface flooding and slips are likely."
MetService says a severe weather warning was in place from 6pm last night through to 9am today.
Warm, humid air is moving over Aotearoa, and is not only bringing wet weather to some areas but also unseasonably warm conditions to many places. Here's a look at temperatures for tomorrow - not too shabby for the last day of meteorological autumn! More at https://t.co/hnwmGxCYeRpic.twitter.com/vRgDNYmDig
