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Motorists are urged to drive under conditions where heavy downpours and thunderstorms are forecast for most of the country, with roads closed in the south.
Flood control efforts on the Patearoa Bridge in Otago
Photo: Otago Central District Council
There have been heavy local downpours in Northland, the Coromandel Peninsula, eastern Waikato, and Taupō, while significant rains fall in the southern areas of the South Island.
South Canterbury and Otago brace for more flooding this afternoon. Rivers and streams have risen, there is already surface flooding on the roads and a heavy rain warning has been issued.
Floods in Otago
Photo: Otago Central District Council
Waitaki District Mayor Gary Kircher said the steady rain had continued for longer than anticipated, which was concerning.
It says municipal contractors are cleaning drains and putting up flood warning signs on roads.
Central Otago campers are advised to move to higher ground, as continuous heavy rains cause the river level to rise. State Highway 6 is now closed between Frankton and Kingston.
MetService has issued a heavy rain advisory for North Otago, Dunedin and Clutha from Balclutha heading north until 3am tomorrow. He said up to 100mm more rain could fall, in addition to what has already fallen in the area.
Decomposition:
N Island, possibly severe thunderstorms, with rain watch, can cause flooding.Island S, rain in SE, sometimes heavy, Warning for the coast, possible thunderstorms. Floods are expected.
Tmw: Rain S Island, possible thunderstorms on both islands https://t.co/NQBonCMXTZ
– MetService (@MetService) January 1, 2021
He warned that it could cause flooding and rapidly growing rivers, surface flooding and landslides.
There have also been thunderstorms and heavy rain on the North Island this afternoon, with 37.6mm of rain reported in one hour at Whangarei.
Thunderstorms from eastern Waikato to the Inland Bay of Plenty. https://t.co/GiI8JCguM4 ^ RK pic.twitter.com/Uj8nsDZ5S7
– MetService (@MetService) January 2, 2021
And so, heavy rains began to rain in the Auckland region. pic.twitter.com/sfS1hMmQHY
– NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) January 1, 2021
The storms have now headed eastward and are approaching Hastings, with showers in Wellington.
Waka Kotahi system manager Mark Owen said that some roads will be very slippery after heavy rain and drivers will need to maintain a safe following distance.
Motorists should make the trip home part of their vacation and take lots of breaks along the way, Owen said.
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