Torrential rain has caused widespread flooding and road closures in the Auckland and Coromandel. Here's what you need to know.
Heavy rain overnight and through today has caused widespread flooding in areas of the Coromandel Peninsula, making roads in some low-lying areas impassable. Rain is still falling in some areas and more heavy rain is expected tomorrow (Thursday) afternoon. About 450mm of rain has fallen in the last 15 hours.
The MetService forecast is that a further 30-40mm may accumulate in the 19 hours from 5pm Wednesday until midday Thursday.
Another period of heavy rain is expected from about midday Thursday to Friday night, with another possible 150-180mm of rain, with peak intensities of 15-25mm per hour.
There is a severe weather watch for gales for the Coromandel Peninsula and Waikato until tomorrow morning.
What will the weather do next?
MetService has lifted its thunderstorm warnings for the upper North Island, except Northland.
More heavy rain is forecast for the Coromandel, Gisborne, Northland from Friday.
That had the potential to cause more flooding, slips and debris on roads. Until then, it was "a case of a few showers", MetService meteorologist Tom Adams said.
Thunderstorm watch lifted for Auckland/Coromandel, ongoing for Northland. Here are all strikes since midnight, courtesy Transpower. ^TA pic.twitter.com/0QQq7cWz9I
— MetService (@MetService) March 8, 2017
Affected areas:
- Coromandel - including Whangamata where a house was hit by a slip, at least three houses have been evacuated and multiple houses and business have been flooded and Pauanui which is using bores until the treatment plant is fully working. The towns of Pauanui and Tairua are inaccessible.
- Papakura and Clevedon, Auckland - severe inland flooding closing roads with stormwater mains affected with at least one property evacuated with Fire Service help
- Kawakawa Bay, Auckland - 15 houses affected by flooding; slips on Turei Hill
- Beachlands, Auckland - significant flooding around Beachlands with slips making some roads impassable. Some properties have been affected by flooding.
- Maraetai, Auckland - one house significantly affected by flooding.
- Hunua, Auckland - 200 people were evacuated from Camp Adair in the Hunua Ranges.
- Waiheke Island, Auckland
Roads
In the Coromandel Peninsula, State Highway 25 is closed at Whiritoa, Whangamata, Tairua, Kereta and Whitianga because of flooding and slips. SH25 between Kopu and Thames was open to one lane.
In the Auckland region, flooding, slips and fallen trees affected Kawakawa Bay, Clevedon, Papakura, Beachlands and Maraetai. Several roads in Maraetai, Kawakawa Bay and Clevedon remain closed. Auckland Transport would assess and clear the roads as quickly as possible, but some areas may be affected for days.
Parks closed
Five Auckland regional parks have been closed because of flooding. Park campers have been relocated to higher ground. There is no public access until further notice.
Tapapakanga Regional Park - major slips and flooding
Hunua Ranges Regional Park (including Hunua Falls, Wairoa and Moumoukai valleys) - major slips, limited road access and flooding
Waitawa Regional Park - major slips and flooding
Duder Regional Park
Waharau Regional Park
Engineers would assess tracks, bridges and slips both in and around these parks once the weather subsides.
Stormwater and flooding
Auckland Council's contact centre has taken more than 150 emergency requests covering everything from blocked drains and manholes, flooded and blocked watercourses and streams, and rising water levels.
Some of these would be immediately resolved by emergency services. Others would be referred to council contractors.
The council had more than 50 reports of road flooding in the south and central area.
Flooded homes
About 20 house flooding incidents were reported to Auckland Council and houses in Coromandel have also been flooded.
Camp evacuations
YMCA Camp Adair - upwards of 200 children and adults were earlier evacuated from YMCA Camp Adair in the Hunua Ranges. Those stranded were evacuated by bus from Camp Adair to a community-led centre at Hunua School. All Camp Adair children are now either back at school or at home.
Hunua Falls Camp - evacuation of around 150 children from Hunua Falls Camp on Falls Road, Hunua is now complete and the children are now at Hunua School awaiting collection for their journey home. Access to the camp had been blocked by a fallen tree and flooding on the road. This was cleared by emergency services and the military.
Tapapakanga Regional Park campground - 30 campers were evacuated to Orere Point where they are being looked after by the local community. They will remain at Orere Point until local roads into the area have reopened.
Power
Nearly 2000 properties in Auckland are without power.
In Papakura 1630 homes are cut off after a line was damaged just before 9am.
Another 180 in Takanini Clevedon, Witford and on Waiheke Island are without power.
School and early education centre closures
Auckland: Waiheke Primary School, Orere Primary School, Clevedon School, Kaiaua School, Hunua School and Kawakawa Bay Kindergarten.
Coromandel/Thames: Tapu School, Opoutere School, Hikuai School, Whangamata School, Te Wharekura o Manaia, Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Harataunga, Rainbow Cottage Whangamata in Riverlee, Karangahake School, Matatoki School, Moanataiari School, Parawai School, Thames South School, Puriri School; A Fun Place To Be, Pukeko's Educare, Rainbow Connection, Whenuakite Country Kids, Central North Kindergarten Tairua, Central North Mercury Bay, Thames Coast and Milly's Educare.
The students from Stanley Bay School and Mangatawhiri School, who were evacuated from Camp Adair overnight, were safe and well, the Ministry of Education said.
