The heavy rain warning continues to make driving treacherous around the Coromandel Peninsula, with the bad weather now set to continue until 9am tomorrow, 31 October.
“We’ve had surface flooding closing various parts of State Highway 25 today and there could be more to come,” says Waka Kotahi Journey Manager for the Waikato, Liam Ryan.
“While the network has held up pretty well given that we’ve had 200mm of rain in the last 24hrs on the Pinnacles, we’re not out of the woods yet with another 100 to 200mm of rain expected overnight.
“At various times today flooding has closed the state highway at Manaia, Hikuai and just north of Whitianga.
Road users should keep an eye on the Waka Kotahi Journey Planner because the situation is changeable. journeys.nzta.govt.nz
SH2 is currently under stop/go traffic management around 2km east of Paeroa on the approach to Karangahake Gorge, due to a small slip. Expect delays.
With contactors working to clear it this afternoon, a second stop/go may be required in the Gorge to provide access for trucks and trailers to a stockpile site where the slip material will be temporarily stored.
“In other areas around the Coromandel loop, SH25 is currently shut at Hikuai due to flooding however the rest of the state highway is back open, but this could change at any time.
If you have to drive, drive with caution as surface water remains in many areas and there may be debris on the road,” says Mr Ryan.
The Kauaeranga river is still an area of concern, and could force a road closure at high tide tonight around 9pm.
“Please consider whether your trip is necessary and don’t go out if you don’t have to, especially once it’s dark.
Those that need to travel should take it slowly and carefully, watch their following distances and expect the unexpected,” Mr Ryan says.
Plan ahead for a safe, enjoyable journey. Keep up to date with:· Traffic updates: journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic
· Facebook: facebook.com/NZTAWaikatoBoP
· Twitter: twitter.com/WakaKotahiWaiBP
· Journey planner: journeys.nzta.govt.nz
· Phone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)
A section of Coromandel highway has reopened after flooding closed it this morning.
NZTA Waka Kotahi said SH25 was now open at Manaia under traffic management.
It was closed at the Manaia River after floodwaters inundated the stretch of highway between Marae and Goldfields Rds.
A cruise ship has had its entrance into Auckland's Waitematā Harbour delayed by four hours due to the storm.
Auckland Transport says the ship, which was due to arrive by 4pm is now due at the downtown Princess Wharf at 8pm.
More than 2000 properties at the top of the country remain without electricity.
Some 935 Northpower customers in the Kaipara and Whangārei districts have had their power disrupted by the storm across 11 communities.
A further 1358 properties in the Far North in 11 communities are also without power and 135 properties in Coromandel, Taranaki, Manawatū and Wairarapa have unplanned electricity cuts.
Another crash has blocked the State Highway 1 motorway in Auckland.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency reported this crash occurred at noon and is blocking the right northbound lane after Market Rd.
People should expect delays.
Thames-Coromandel District Council says Colville Rd is closed 13km from the start of the road due to a slip blocking both lanes. A crew was on its way and would have the road opened shortly.
Victoria Street, Thames remained closed due to surface flooding at the second ford 900m from the start of the road.
Kauaeranga Valley Rd remained closed due to surface flooding near the start of the road.
Tapu-Coroglen Rd remained closed for the ongoing repair work due to the cyclone damage earlier this year.
A number of streets in Whangārei CBD have closed due to flooding.
Mayor Vince Cocurullo said the storm was starting to move south and the city had now passed the high tide point.
However, some roads had been affected by the morning's King Tide.
Kaka St in Morningside and Kara Road in Maungatapere are closed due to flooding. Roads that are passable but where caution was advised due to surface water are: Commerce St, Boundary Rd, McClintock St, Moody Ave and Riverside Drive. Caution is also advised along Memorial Drive and Elizabeth St due to fallen trees.
State Highways are all open, Waka Kotahi said.
Mayor Cocurullo said over the past 24 hours rain data from the Northland Regional Council showed that the Glenbervie area had around 127mm of rain and the other areas had between 35 and 75mm of rain
MetService has issued a new orange heavy rain warning for Coromandel and Bay of Plenty, including Rotorua, for 9am Monday to 9am Tuesday.
Coromandel can expect 100 to 120 mm of rain in addition to rain which has already accumulated while between 90 and 120mm is expected for Bay of Plenty.
MetService has also upgraded heavy rain watches for Hawkes Bay to warnings, including for Tairawhiti/Gisborne from Tolaga Bay northwards from 9am Monday to 4pm Tuesday.
This area is being told to expect between 130 and 160mm of rain.
Meanwhile, all weather alerts for Auckland have been lifted.