Rain which brought flash floods to Auckland and Northland is moving south. Photo: RNZ/Sam Olley
The low which brought flash floods in the far north is moving south and set to bring heavy rain for Wairarapa and Marlborough.
A complex trough of low pressure moves onto the upper South Island Sunday then weakens.
A heavy rain watch is in place for Wairarapa including the Tararua District until 11pm tonight and for Marlborough south of Ward from 2am until 9pm Sunday evening.
MetService warns rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria.
The main rainband is now affecting the southern North Island. However, it leaves showery conditions in its wake further north, some of which could be heavy. Heavy rain and severe thunderstorm watches remain in place down the east coast of the North Island. https://t.co/HZ2TSD5rV7 pic.twitter.com/AG2ucLXBpR
— MetService (@MetService) February 25, 2023
Heavy rain warnings for Gisborne and Hawke's Bay have both been lifted.
Meanwhile, the immediate danger from a debris dam upstream from Tokomaru Bay north of Gisborne is over for now.
Sixty-four properties were evacuated on Thursday night as debris brought down by flooding, started to build-up on the Mangahauini River.
Tairāwhiti Civil Defence said it planned to blow up the dam, which was holding back 400,000 cubic metres of water, silt and trees, but now that os not necessary.
Controller Ben Green said engineers have assessed it and the risk has passed, but residents are being advised to be ready to evacuate again if rain forecast for Monday and Tuesday eventuates.
He said a 24-hour watch will continue and it is hoped electronic monitoring will be in place before too long.
Engineers will be back at the site early next week.
State Highway 2 also remains closed between Ōpōtiki and Gisborne due to flooding.
UPDATE 7PM
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Central North Island (@WakaKotahiCNI) February 25, 2023
SH2 is now closed between Ōpōtiki and Gisborne. Contractors will assess the condition of the road in the morning and will determine if it can open. For the latest information please check our Journey Planner website: https://t.co/qQs5Dq77i9. ^EH https://t.co/WTSZS9HIac
