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Floods and slides are causing disruption in Taranaki and the council has mobilized its emergency response teams as heavy rains hit much of the North Island.
Floods on New Plymouth Street. Source: New Plymouth Council
MetService said rain and thunderstorms would affect Auckland, the Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato, Waitomo, Taumarunui, Bay of Plenty, Rotorua, Taupo, Hawke’s Bay, Taranaki and Taihape until 8 p.m.
The downpours in Taranaki began overnight and by noon 90mm of rain had fallen at New Plymouth Airport, more than in all of last November. Nearby Hillsborough got 67.5mm from 6am to 9am, including 33.5mm in the last of those hours.
Sewage overflows have been reported at pumping stations in New Plymouth and public health warning signs are going up on beaches after the rain.
The district council has closed Calvert Road in Moturoa, Brougham Street in the city, and Egmont Road between Katere Road and Henwood Road due to flooding.
It has also closed the Huatoki Plaza and the Puke Ariki underpass due to rising water levels.
A stream grown by heavy rain in New Plymouth. Source: Supplied
The council has mobilized its emergency response team and has crews on the ground cleaning drains and removing debris.
The Transportation Agency says a slip of State Highway 3 in Tangahoe south of Hawera is being cleared.
One lane is flooded at the intersection of SH3 and Dudley Road south of Inglewood and a speed limit of 30 km / h has been set.
The floods are also causing disruptions in Egmont Village and further south by SH3 in Kākaramea.
The green of the Paritutu Bolwing Club after a heavy rain. Source: Supplied
On State Highway 45, flooding has been reported in several places between Ōkato and Opunake.
Rain advisories are in effect for the Bay of Plenty and Taranaki north of Eltham, including the mountain, until tonight.
MetService says such heavy rains can cause surface flooding and flash flooding, especially in low-lying areas like streams, rivers, or narrow valleys, and can also lead to landslides.
The upper part of the South Island does not escape the humid climate, with the Kaikōura coastline and the Takaka Hill and Arthur Range areas under heavy rain watch.
Auckland – Rain, sometimes heavy, turning into showers at night as the strong and gusty north winds subside. Possible thunderstorms this morning and afternoon. High: 24C
Hamilton – Rain, sometimes heavy, turning into showers at night as the strong and gusty north winds subside. Possible thunderstorms until dusk. High: 23C
Wellington: periods of rain, some possibly heavy, decreasing at night. Northeasterlies. High: 16C
Christchurch: Spotty drizzle, turning to rain later this morning, drizzling again at night. Northeasterlies. High: 17C
Dunedin – Good. Northeasterlies, cooling off in the afternoon. Height: 18
