A slip on State Highway 59 earlier resulted in lane closures. Photo: Waka Kotahi/Supplied
Two Wellington highways blocked by slips caused by heavy rain have now reopened and the Auckland Santa Parade went ahead despite the rain.
MetService duty forecaster Gerard Bellam said Wellington's northern suburbs have been hardest hit by the rain and at least 80mm had fallen.
Bellam said heavy rain had also set in across Auckland, where squally thunderstorms were forecast.
Part of a hillside slipped down onto State Highway 2, blocking the northbound route, but it has now been cleared and reopened. Photo: Brady Dyer
The torrential rain did not deter thousands from turning out for the city's 89th annual Santa Parade this afternoon.
Founded in 1934 by the Farmers department store, the festivities had to be cancelled last year because of Covid-19 restrictions.
Photo: RNZ / Sally Wenley
Photo: RNZ / Sally Wenley
Meanwhile, MetService has now lifted the heavy rain watches that were earlier in place from Horowhenua to Wellington, including the Tararua Range.
Contractors have now cleared a slip that blocked traffic on the northbound lanes of State Highway 2 in Wellington.
Heavy rains caused the landslide near the Melling interchange this morning, and the road was closed between Tirohanga Road and Grounsell Crescent.
Waka Kotahi said contractors finished clearing the road at about 4pm and it had now reopened.
FINAL UPDATE 4:40PM
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Wellington (@WakaKotahiWgtn) November 27, 2022
The road is now OPEN. Thank you for your patience. ^EH https://t.co/istBltmryN
Meanwhile, the southbound lanes of State Highway 59 in Porirua which were closed at the Mungavin Interchange to Linden at about 10am due to a slip have also now reopened.
Waka Kotahi said it was monitoring both slips and would be doing more checks tomorrow.
FINAL UPDATE 5:35PM
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Wellington (@WakaKotahiWgtn) November 27, 2022
The road is now OPEN. Thank you for your patience. ^EH https://t.co/nzNhoy7ZZJ
Waka Kotahi Wellington/Top of the South regional manager Mark Owen said the rain had also caused flooding on SH2 through Hutt Valley, on SH1 in central Wellington near the Basin Reserve and there were "reports of minor slips and rockfalls on other parts of the local state highway network".
Emergency workers inspect house where part of hillside has slipped away - Hutt Valley Photo: Brady Dyer
Contractors were working hard to keep roads open, but drivers were encouraged to check road conditions before they travelled, Owen said.
State Highway 2 in Wellington was was blocked northbound from Melling due to a slip. Photo: Waka Kotahi/Supplied
The bad weather meant drivers must be prepared for hazardous driving conditions.
"If visibility is bad, make sure your headlights are on so that other drivers can see you. Watch your following distances and expect the unexpected. Remember, it is better to arrive late than to not arrive at all."
Bad weather has caused a lot of problems on the roads for motorists. Photo: Brady Dyer
