Northland, Auckland, North Island wild weather, heavy rain: school closings and broken power lines

Many areas of the North Island are being hit by heavy rains today after the Northland region was hit overnight by Northeast gales and torrential downpours, forcing some schools to close.

Blocked Auckland was hit by periods of heavy rain this morning, and Western Line train services have been canceled between Britomart and Kingsland until further notice.

Heavy rains are also forecast for Bay of Plenty, west of Whakatane; the Coromandel; Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne. Coromandel is also likely to weather thunderstorms this afternoon and early evening.

The downpours in Auckland this morning are likely to be followed by another flurry overnight, according to the MetService.

The weather agency has implemented various weather alerts and warnings.

A heavy rain warning for Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne will begin at 5pm.

The WeatherWatch agency said the conditions were a “perfect recipe” to create a “crush zone” of air pressure with easterly winds from the east.

“Over the next few days, hurricane force winds, some with gusts of over 100 km / h, will pass through some valleys, wind tunnels and marine areas due to the low pressure system located in the upper part of New Zealand.

“Most of the rain will fall on the North Island, particularly the northeast corner of the island, where it is generally possible to reach up to 150mm, and those from the southwest will be affected by winds but not as much by rain. Totals in Manawatu, for example, may only be 20mm in the next few days, “WeatherWatch said.

“Dry Auckland is receiving light to moderate rain today and some isolated heavy drops. Totals vary across the region, but the most likely distribution is 30-70mm. Very positive for the city especially, but not enough to reverse two years rainfall below normal. “

Meanwhile, the Far North district was hit the hardest overnight, with MetService warning that northeast winds could reach speeds of 100 km / h in exposed locations.

Northland’s heavy rain warning said 70-100mm of rain was expected to accumulate from 9pm Sunday to 11am Monday and it was likely to rain more from Monday night through early Tuesday morning. .

The eastern hills around Kaeo were hit the hardest overnight with 139mm in the 24 hours to 6am Monday. There was also heavy rain around Wiroa Rd, west of Kerikeri, with 122.5mm in the same time period.

In Whangārei district, the heaviest rains were in Puhipuhi, Whakapara, which received 98.5 mm in the 24 hours to 6 a.m. M. Ngunguru and Kaikatea Hills received 96mm at the same time.

Kaipara district received the least amount of rainfall overall of the three Northland districts. At Pouto Point they received 8mm and Ruawai 11mm in the 24 hours to 6am.

The most intense precipitation in Kaipara during this period was 61 mm in the Tutamoe Range.

The heavy rains are expected to turn into isolated showers later this afternoon, according to MetService.

Kaeo School and Whangaroa College are closed today because heavy rains have prevented school buses from completing their morning run.

Whangaruru School was also forced to close its doors today because safety concerns prevented the local bus from navigating the flooding along Russell Rd near Punaruku.

Whangaruru School Principal Jamie McQueen said flooding prevented the bus from completing its daily route and accessing the school grounds.

Two staff members who live north of the school were unable to get to work due to flooding, McQueen said.

The section of Russell Rd highway between Bland Bay and Oakura floods about half a dozen times a year, said Whangaruru North Resident and Taxpayer Association president Jude Thompson.

“People who are unfamiliar with the area are at risk thinking they can walk through it,” Thompson said. “With Auckland locked in, it’s probably not a problem today.”

Thompson, who was working from home due to the floods, said residents worked closely with the Whangārei District Council during its planning phase to improve flood-related problems in Tūparehuia / Whangaruru.

Homes and businesses in the Taipuha and Waiotira area have suffered unplanned power outages due to broken power lines.

Helmsdale Rd in Waipū has also experienced a power outage with Northpower crews on site trying to locate the fault.

Two planned power outages in Dargaville and Kaiwaka have been canceled due to weather. Power at Awakino Rd, Kauri Ct, Phoenix Pl, Paritai Pl and Sampsons Way in Dargaville was to be shut down for grid maintenance. A planned power outage at Oneriri Rd and Nathan Rd in Kaiwaka was to allow urgent repairs to be made.

The Whangaruru North Residents and Taxpayers Association reported surface flooding on Russell Rd which runs through Punaruku. The road was still passable, but motorists were warned to be careful as high tide is scheduled for 11.20 a.m. M.

Motorists have reported surface flooding on Whareora Rd between Abbey Caves and Mt Tiger Rd in Whangārei.

At Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay, MetService says bursts of heavy rain are expected to dump a total of 100-180mm of water, the highest amounts in the ranges.

Peak rates of 10-20mm / hr are expected tonight, decreasing for a time overnight, but with high rates of rain returning Tuesday morning.

Tomorrow morning a strong wind warning will be issued in Taranaki.

The southern gales are forecast to be severe at times, with gusts reaching 120 km / h in exposed locations.

Stronger winds are expected to affect areas near and north of Mount Taranaki.

According to the forecaster, strong gusts of wind could damage trees, power lines, and driving can be dangerous, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.