A Tauranga woman has had her garden shed blown apart as strong winds batter the Bay of Plenty. Photo / Supplied
Fire crews had been called to weather-related jobs in both Greerton and Aongatete today.
Meanwhile heavy rain has left a swathe of damage across the Coromandel Peninsula, with debris and slips affecting many of the region's roads.
Teams are out inspecting the extent of the storm's fury while there is mounting concern about the swollen Kauaeranga River and this morning's high tide.
— Severe Weather Info (@MetServiceWARN) June 24, 2020
The Thames-Coromandel District Council said the brunt of the storm was felt on the eastern seaboard. The rapid assessment team was now on the road gauging the damage. There were reports of trees down and some wind damage.
Parts of SH25A between Kopu and Hikuai were underwater, leaving the road closed. The Kauaeranga Valley River Bridge at Rhodes Park in Thames was also impassable, with surface flooding at Puriri, Te Puru, Kopu east heading to Paeroa and the Karangahake gorge.
While the worst of the storm had passed, the council said the 200mm of rain fell at the Pinnacles, which had swollen the Kauaeranga River.
Contractors were now on site and would remain there until high tide passed after 10am. It was possible the spillway might need to be activated.
