Brynderwyns detour via Mangawhai closed by flooding and slips on Kaiwaka-Mangawhai Rd

Flooding on the Hakaru bridge, north-east of Kaiwaka, this afternoon. Photo / Supplied

The Brynderwyns detour via Kaiwaka-Mangawhai Rd has been closed because of flooding and slips after heavy downpours this afternoon.

Civil Defence Northland is asking people between Kaiwaka and Mangawhai to stay where they are as vehicles have reportedly slid off the road because of flooding and emergency services have been rescuing people from flooded cars or stuck between two slips.

Welfare centres have opened at the Kaipara District Council office on Molesworth Dr, Mangawhai Golf Club and at the St John Hall in Kaiwaka.

“Roads in the area have been affected by a combination of flooding, slips and trees down,” Civil Defence Northland said. “There are crews in the area but information is changing quickly and they are currently unable to confirm the condition of some of the smaller roads due to flooding.”

Waka Kotahi is now advising light vehicles to detour via SH12 and Paparoa-Oakleigh Rd, rather than Mangawhai/Cove Rd.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins was scheduled to leave Whangārei on a 5.30pm flight, which got cancelled and he’s now being driven to Auckland instead.

The Kaipara council is advising motorists to stay off the road and avoid travelling between SH1 and Mangawhai because of the heavy downpour.

Social media users have posted about deep flooding at Hakuru and surface flooding in Kaiwaka.

MetService issued a severe thunderstorm watch for southern parts of Northland this morning that expires at 10pm. Thunderstorms are now predicted this evening from Portland through Whangārei to Ngunguru and Matapouri. The weather service warned of localised downpours of 25-50mm per hour.

The Devich Rd bridge was under water during this afternoon's torrential rain in Mangawhai and surrounding areas.

Heavy localised downpours have been reported in parts of Northland, including 24.6mm between midday and 1pm at Marsden Pt.

Locals in the Mangawhai area are reporting some of the “heaviest rain they have ever seen” as more wet weather batters the area. Multiple main roads are now flooded after just an hour of rain. Another local reported seeing emergency services helping those who are stranded.

Mangawhai fire chief Graham Kerrigan encouraged everyone on the northern side of the Mangawhai Village to seek shelter at the golf club.

“If you’re on the southern side, go to the hub at the end of Molesworth Dr,” he said. ”At the moment, it’s completely blocked heading to Kaiwaka and Wellsford.”

Civil Defence Northland Spokesman Murray Soljak said some people have had to leave their houses.

”People have been rescued from their cars by fire and emergency and people whose homes have been flooded are being accommodated at a range of local halls in the area.”

Soljak couldn’t say how many residents had to be evacuated and said people should check the Civil Defence Facebook page for updates.

Some students from Mangawhai studying at Otamatea High School are still at the school hall, unable to catch the bus home.

Mangawhai ITM manager Rob Cook said everyone was on edge. ”We’ve got four of our staff who live in the flood zone, and they’re unsure if they can get home tonight.

”One lives in Kaiwaka and the roads are closed from here. ”I’ve seen nothing as bad as this in 20 years I’ve lived here. ”With the Brynderwyns shut and flooding out the other side of SH1 Maungatoroto way, there really is no access now. We can’t get north, we can’t get south, we can’t get anywhere. All these businesses are going to suffer because of the road closures.”

Mangawhai Books and Gifts owner Scott King said his customers could not get home.

”We’ve had a couple of tourists asking for accommodation because they’re afraid they’re not going to get any further on their trip today. It’s ridiculous. It’s the third time in four weeks this has happened.”

SH1 WAIPU TO BRYNDERWYN DETOUR CLOSED - 2:40PM
Due to slips and flooding, #SH1 Waipu to Brynderwyn detour via Kaiwaka-Mangawhai Rd is CLOSED.

- Light vehicles: use SH12 and Paparoa-Oakleigh Rd to Whangarei.
- Heavy vehicles (excluding HPMV) use SH12 / SH14 via Dargaville. ^CO pic.twitter.com/xDyLuZWgAk

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) February 24, 2023

Mangawhai Golf Club general manager Carry Dale earlier said her kids have been stuck at school for the last hour with no way to get home. ”My kids are sitting on the bus at Otamatea High School and we have no idea how they’re going to get home. There’s quite a few kids stuck at school. ”The school closed an hour ago and they’re still there.”