"There was 27mm between 11pm and midnight, that's heaps of rain."
Large areas of the Rotorua district were still without power yesterday after the severe weather tore off a roof, flooded a house and caused slips and potholes on major roads.
Tree down over walkway in Sulphur Pt. Photo/Stephen Parker
Wind gusts were recorded up to 144km/h in exposed areas.
"It was gusting through the night," Mr Marsters said.
"There was enough rain to loosen the ground, then the trees just go."
Mr Marsters said Rotorua experienced the worst of the wind from 7pm to 8pm.
Unison relationship manager Danny Gough said there were 385 customers without power yesterday morning.
Slip on Endean Rd about 800m from the Paradise Valley Rd turnoff. Photo/Stephen Parker
Trees brought down power lines on Tiwha Rd, Koutu, leaving residents without power, while Rotoma, where 228 customers had no power, was worst affected.
Some were left facing another night in the dark, with power still out to at least 35 customers at 5pm last night.
"Despite our best efforts we couldn't get everyone," Mr Gough said.
"From what we were starting at this morning, it's been a herculaen effort, I'm really proud of the guys."
Mr Gough said power would definitely be back on to all properties today.
As of 4.30pm yesterday a slip on Hamurana Rd had been moved to the road shoulder with more clearing to take place. Te Kopia Rd, Brett Rd and Endean Rd were down to one lane due to slips but signs were up. A tree had fallen over the Ngongotaha cycleway, but was passable with care.
"I was out at the supermarket when I got a text from Jared to say a tree had fallen down.
"He brought the manager out and he noticed with the other one that the ground was moving, so he ran out, cleared all the guests out, got them out safely then a minute or two later the whole tree fell down.
"It was worse than the cyclone earlier this year."
Damage to the roof of the foot pools at Kuirau Park. Photo/Stephen Parker
The trees cover the main driveway of the park and Mr and Mrs Adams were just glad no one had been driving through when they fell.
Rotorua Fire Brigade senior station officer Colin Rolfe said the brigade had eight calls from 5.30pm onwards, mostly for trees down in the city and surrounding rural areas.
Kelly in Hillcrest said a neighbour's tree had come down and broken her fence.
"Got the firewood in, came inside, heard this mighty crash and the tree next door had come down and taken out our fence. Now we have a big tree lying on our back lawn."
A tree went through this Hillcrest fence after Thursday night's storm. Photo/Ben Fraser
The Eastern Bay was also hit by the weather, with several power outages reported.
The New Zealand Transport has warned people to expect delays on State Highway 2 after a large tree fell across the highway on the Matata Straight near Murphy's Holiday Camp. The road was yesterday down to one lane.
According to MetService the worst of the wild weather has now passed Rotorua.
Showers are set to continue today but ease off for a clear day tomorrow.
A large tree came down in Tiwha St in Koutu. Photo/Stephen Parker
Damage reported to the Rotorua Lakes Council included: Endean Rd - slip covering one lane - about 800m from the Paradise Valley Rd turnoff Kuirau Park - damage to the roof of the foot pools State Highway 5 - sizable pothole in the road between Tarukenga Rd and the rest stop area Sulphur Point - tree down over walkway Galvin Rd - tree down over footpath in Hamurana Rd - slip covering one lane near Te Waerenga Rd State Highway 30 - tree down blocking northbound lane State Highway 33 - pothole at corner of Cookson Rd 1146 Rangiuru St - tree fallen from sidewalk on to carparks Hossack Rd - tree down across road 800m from 314 Hossack Rd Clayton Rd and Steeles Lane - surface flooding Alfred Rd - surface flooding Tiwha St - fallen trees and power lines.
