[ad_1]
RTL COMPUTER SERVICES / Provided
A tree blocks Anzac Rd in Browns Bay on Auckland’s north shore.
The strong winds and heavy rains that hit Auckland on Thursday afternoon appear to be subsiding.
The wild weather hitting the northern North Island downed trees and downed power lines.
Thunderstorms and winds of up to 100km / h are possible, and the New Zealand Transport Agency, Waka Kotahi, has warned that it will “not hesitate” to close the Auckland Harbor Bridge if necessary.
MetService
MetService has issued a series of heavy rain advisories for northern New Zealand, but also for the western areas of the South Island.
However, at 6 p.m. the speed limits on the bridge had been lifted. Five lanes were open to northbound traffic and three lanes were open to southbound traffic.
READ MORE:
* Weather: Heavy rain, strong winds forecast for Guy Fawkes Day in the north
* Motorcyclists and high-sided vehicles are urged to avoid the Auckland Harbor Bridge.
Despite this, people should continue to drive carefully, NZTA said.
Earlier on Thursday, severe weather caused a large tree to smash into a house in Cockle Bay in eastern Auckland.
A New Zealand Fire and Emergency spokeswoman said the tree fell onto the roof and deck of a property on Alexander St.
No injuries were reported.
However, the tree was too big for firefighters to remove, so the owner would have to call in an arborist.
In all, Fenz had received about a dozen weather-related calls on Thursday.
“The climate appears to be slowly beginning to change to the south,” the spokeswoman said.
Max Hamilton / Supplied
Charlie’s Rock waterfall in Kerikeri overflowed Thursday after a deluge hit the upper North Island.
Trains on the eastern commuter line were canceled between Britomart and Pan Auckland Transport (AT), he said. But Manukau services work as usual.
Services were canceled on the western line earlier, but AT received clearance to operate between Britomart and Swanson as of approximately 4.15pm
Paul shaw
Northland is still recovering from a flood in July. This photo was taken at that time by a member of the Whāngarei Flying Club.
Power lines were on the road near the intersection of Maraetai School Rd and Maraetai Drive in eastern Auckland around 3pm.
Maraetai School Rd was closed between Maraetai Drive and Maraetai Heights Rd, a police spokesman said, as officers assisted firefighters and contractors who were working to fix the problem.
According to Vector’s website, a power outage was reported in the area at 2.47 pm By 6.30 pm power had been restored.
Denise Piper / Things
A broken tree branch blocks part of the road in Helena Bay near Whangārei, one of many branches that collapse in the storm.
The heavy rain warning has been extended to Gisborne, which can expect up to 110 millimeters of rain overnight on Thursday.
Heavy rains are also possible further south at the Canterbury headwaters and are expected to continue in southwest Westland, with thunderstorms expected as the system moves south.
The forecast for the north of the North Island is for northeast gales of up to 100 km / h in exposed locations.
Bursts of that force could damage trees, power lines and unsafe structures, while driving could be dangerous, particularly for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles, MetService said.
Do you have a picture of the weather at home? Send them to [email protected]
GLENN JEFFREY / Things
Now it rains in Northland, Auckland, Coromandel and the Bay of Plenty and much of the North Island is expected to be soaked. (File photo)
MetService meteorologist Tahlia Crabtree said Kerikeri Airport had 74.8mm of rain Thursday at 2pm, with 22mm falling in an hour.
“It’s a pretty heavy dose of rain in just one hour,” Crabtree said.
The region is still recovering from a flood in July, with State Highway 1 south of Kaitaia still closed due to slips.
The NZTA is closely monitoring the Auckland winds and advised high-sided vehicle drivers and motorcyclists to avoid the Auckland Harbor Bridge altogether.
Gusts of up to 110km / h were forecast until 4pm, before it was expected to recede to 80-90km / h until 8pm
RYAN ANDERSON / Stuff
NZTA (Waka Kotahi) warns that it will “not hesitate” to close the Auckland Harbor Bridge if Thursday’s winds are too bad.
“Safety is our priority and we will not hesitate to close the bridge if necessary,” said Auckland system manager Andrea Williamson.
Hurricane force winds on September 18 blew a truck into a prop on the Auckland Harbor Bridge, causing damage and rolling lane closures for several days.
The bridge was closed to traffic for a period on September 29 due to strong gusts of wind.
Rain is forecast in Wellington starting in the evening, while Christchurch is expected to have a warm day with a high of 27 degrees Celsius.
On Friday, the weather is expected to be more stable, with calmer wind and only rain forecast for the country, Crabtree said.
