Northlanders can rest easy over the next few days as the worst of the blustery weather has headed offshore and is expected to be replaced with sunny periods for the weekend.
Weather Watch head analyst Philip Duncan said there could be a westerly wind but that would be made bearable thanks to longer periods of sun, with only a few showers in the mix.
It comes as a welcome relief after wet and windy weather caused power outages, surface flooding and slips early yesterday morning.
A slip on State Highway 1, on the Brynderwyn Hills, blocked one lane, causing southbound traffic to be diverted through Waipu and Mangawhai and northbound traffic through Gorge Rd.
Heavy vehicles were unable to use either route, so waited for the slip to be cleared by Downers contractors, who were kept busy overnight clearing fallen trees near Matakohe and posting warning flooding signs on West Coast Rd.
Regional council rainfall figures showed the Brynderwyn Hills were the worst hit area in Northland, with 82.5mm falling in a 24-hour period to 8am yesterday.
Wilson's Dam, west of Ruakaka, recorded 71mm and 60.5mm fell in Glenbervie Forest.
On the west coast, 68mm fell across the Tutamoe Ranges and in Maungaturoto 67mm, Mangawhai 60mm and Paparoa 58.5mm.
Whangarei District Council's Anne Midson said low lying flood-prone areas around the city suffered surface flooding but the water had receded quickly. A slip was reported on Matapouri Rd, near Tutukaka, and Whareora Rd had been down to one lane for a short time.
Power to 110 people in the Oruawharo area, 19km northwest of Wellsford, was out overnight until a generator was installed yesterday.
Northpower spokesman Steve MacMillan said replacing a broken power pole was a priority and electricity was restored just before 10am.
Meanwhile, in the Far North the Mangonui fire brigade was called out at 1pm when fierce winds ripped a skylight from a Grey St home. Fire chief Peter Sainsbury said the volunteers screwed the skylight back on and covered it with a tarp until the weather eased enough for proper repairs. The house suffered some water damage.
Kaikohe firefighters were called to Mangatawa Rd, Otaua, about 1.45pm when wind brought down what was initially thought to be a power cable.
A weather-related ban on logging and metal trucks using unsealed rural roads remains in force across the Far North, to protect the roads.