MetService has issued a fresh round of weather warnings, as Tasman braces for 40 hours of rain.
Forecasters are monitoring a potential second weather system.
The New Zealand Transport Agency says a section of State Highway 35 in the Gisborne Region has been closed as Cyclone Tam remains over the Tasman Sea today.
Closure points are in place at Wharf Rd, Hicks Bay and near the intersection with Lottin Point Rd, Potaka due to flooding this evening.
And as the fierce storm makes its way down New Zealand, forecasters are now monitoring a new weather system forming north of the country.
Flooding closed State Highway 25 overnight, isolating several Coromandel townships. One person was rescued from their car as water rose rapidly around them.
The closure left no safe highway access to Tairua, Whitianga or Coromandel township.
The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) said this morning SH25 had reopened at Manaia after a closure caused by flooding overnight.
However, there was still surface water on the road and drivers are advised to use caution.
Crews were still working to clear the slips.
Yesterday, gale-force winds tore off roofs, major roads were submerged by heavy flooding, and thousands of people were left without electricity.
An Auckland couple in their 80s have been trapped in their home by a fallen tree. Photo / Jason Dorday
Ferries and flights were cancelled, disrupting the travel plans of thousands of passengers, while trees downed by heaving winds smashed into cars, fences and houses.
On day three of Cyclone Tam, forecasters say the intensity and spread of weather in Auckland and Northland will begin to ease.
But looking towards next week, meteorologists are keeping an eye on a second weather system looming for New Zealand.
Photos show significant flooding on SH1 in the Far North, near Umawera. Photo / Matthew Davison
MetService forecaster Lewis Ferris said it still won’t be “picture perfect” for much of the country today.
The combined effects of wind and rain continued to pose a significant risk for those heading away for the long weekend.
As the weather system moves, northwest Tasman is set to receive intense rainfall, with a 54-hour deluge forecast from 6pm yesterday.
Niwa meteorologist Seth Carrier told the Herald winds in the North Island would continue to ease today.
He said Tam’s remnants would slowly move away from New Zealand, and it might take until Tuesday or Wednesday for all the associated rainfall to end.
Second weather system bound for New Zealand next week
As the cyclone starts to weaken, a potential second weather system is now being watched closely by forecasters.
MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane said there was a good chance of a low developing in the tropics, so they were keeping an eye on the region.
“With the low-pressure system itself, the real key will be where it forms and that will determine how deep it becomes once it forms,” she said.
Makgabutlane said the chances of the system developing into a tropical cyclone were low, but not impossible.
“We are still in tropical cyclone season, so this is a time when things are pretty active,” she said.
The system appeared to be tracking towards New Zealand from the northeast on Monday and Tuesday, but Makgabutlane said it was too early to determine if it would amount to anything significant.
“As the days go by, especially with all the other weather systems in play as well, once this low-pressure system develops we’ll have a clearer picture,” she said.
Floodwater near Umawera. Photo / Matthew Davison
Niwa’s Carrier said a second cyclone was not expected to affect New Zealand in the coming days.
“However, the remnants of ex-tropical Cyclone Tam will continue to sit west of New Zealand during the holiday weekend and it will move very slowly.”
Cyclone Tam warnings and watches: Who is still in the firing line?
MetService has updated its warings and watches, stripping Northland and Auckland of all theirs while placing more extreme warnings on areas in the lower North Island.
The forecasting agency said Cyclone Tam was now lying west of the country and would continue to weaken throughout today.
“Associated fronts move southwards over the country through into Saturday, bringing heavy rain to parts of the North Island and upper South Island.”
Mount Taranaki and Tasman have been warned of nearly 40 hours of heavy showers.
The warning came into force for Tasman at 9am and will come into force for Taranaki at midnight tonight.
MetService said both regions were forecast to receive 200mm of rain and the warnings had a high chance of being extended.
Flooding in Kāeo, Northland, on Thursday afternoon. Photo / Dronewolf
Coromandel residents have been told to expect 40mm of heavy rain over the next three hours before conditions start to ease. A heavy rain warning is in force until 1pm.
MetService has forecast 70mm of rain over the next 12 hours for Bay of Plenty before a brief respite.
The agency warned further showers were expected on Saturday.
Gisborne/Tairawhiti north of Tokomaru Bay came under a heavy rain warning at 9am, which is forecast to last until 6am tomorrow.
MetService warned residents to brace for 120mm of rain with a further period of heavy showers on Saturday.
