Heavy rain causes chaos in Northland, flooding roads and closing schools

Thursday, 21 June 2018

Motorist Thomas Wharton said he could see bits of the road 'coming off at the sides'.

Contractors are working to reopen State Highway 1 in Northland after flooding caused by heavy rain forced it to close.

New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) said one lane could be opened overnight but said it was subject to weather conditions.

Have you been affected by the flooding in Northland? Email us at newstips @stuff.co.nz

Stormy weather in Northland has resulted in flooding and slips.

7.15PM UPDATE

We're signing off for the day. Over-night updates can be found on our website. Contractors are on scene and the road may open to one lane over-night however this is subject to weather & other factors. https://t.co/ReETipc1Pi. ^MF https://t.co/BR2Xp74y4X

— NZTA Akld & Nthlnd (@NZTAAkl) June 21, 2018

State Highway 1 was closed at Puhipuhi Rd earlier on Thursday as Northland police said there was so much water on it, officers were concerned vehicles could end up in the large drains on the side of the road.

The wild weather lead to State highway 1 almost becoming submerged.

Almost half a metre of water has come across Puhipuhi Rd, Whakapara.

* Footage shows truck hit by storm

Moerewa resident Thomas Wharton made it along the State Highway before it was closed and said there was 'water everywhere'.

'It was absolutely crazy. Everyone was just trying to pile through it, the guy behind me was in a Toyota Corolla and his car was submerged past the wheels as we were driving.'

Kaipara Flats, near Warkworth, also saw flooding. The Warkworth Volunteer Fire Brigade wrote on Facebook that Kaipara Flats Rd was badly flooded in some parts.

Kaipara Flats School principal Debbie Hamer said she was unable to leave her home on Thursday morning as the water on the roads was so bad.

'I was trapped in my home all day. We ended up making the decision to close the school for the day as the roads were unpassable,' Hamer said.

Even the school bus was unable to get to the school, she said.

'It's pretty dangerous out there right now and we have to put the kids' health and safety first.'

Hamer had been relying on email and Facebook for updates on the community and the storm.

'There's a river that runs through the back of my home – the paddocks are all flooded it's just wet and wild out there.'

MetService meteorologist Stephen Glassey said the flooding was due to heavy rainfall overnight and earlier on Thursday morning.

Since Wednesday morning, parts of Northland had received 150 millimetres of rain, he said.

Whangarei Airport received 140.4mm of rain, while Glenbervie, a town southwest of Whangarei, received 175.5mm.

MetService has issued a heavy weather watch for the area and several schools across Northland had closed due to flooding and road closures.

Gale warnings were issued at 4.42pm by Metservice from the east coast of Northland to the Coromandel.

There were also strong wind warnings for the Hauraki Gulf.

Sarah Smits, who works at Hukerenui Playcentre, said she was not able to make it into work due to flooding.

'It's just been torrential, it's a pretty bad flood we had to close the playcentre because most of us just couldn't get there,' Smits said.

Two early childhood centres, Kaeo Creative Minds ECE and Hukerenui Playcentre closed for the day. Kokopu School, Otaika Valley School, Whananaki School, Hukerenui School and Whangaruru School also closed their doors.

But the rain was now on an 'easing trend', Glassey said.

'The heavy rain should clear from Northland and Auckland by this afternoon and it should be mostly clear tomorrow.'

On Twitter, Niwa weather wrote that Friday would have 'brighter skies ahead' but 'a frosty start for some'.

How's your Friday looking?

🔆 Brighter skies ahead!

🔆 Chilly! A frosty start for some.

🔆 A mostly dry day. pic.twitter.com/3NDeeTXyyx

— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) June 21, 2018