Strong gale-force winds lash Auckland's CBD tonight as a storm moves across the country. Video / NZ Herald
Auckland ferry services and flights have been cancelled due to ex-tropical Cyclone Tam’s impact.
Major roads in Northland are flooded, with motorists rescued from stranded vehicles.
Thousands of Northlanders could be without power for three days as winds and rain continue.
Multiple townships on the Coromandel Peninsula are being isolated by flooding.
MetService warns of continued strong winds and heavy rain across the North Island.
Coromandel townships are being isolated by flooding as ex-tropical Cyclone Tam continues to cause havoc across the upper North Island.
Auckland ferry services have been cancelled due to “significant risk”, while holidaymakers’ flights have been disrupted as the storm lashes the upper North Island.
Major roads across Northlandare underwater, with some motorists being plucked to safety from stranded vehicles after heavy rain caused surface flooding.
And in the Coromandel Peninsula, multiple townships are having access cut by flooding.
State Highway 25 is now affected on both sides of the peninsula, leaving no safe highway access to Tairua, Whitianga or Coromandel township.
As heavy rain continues to fall and high tide approaches, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi warns that worsening conditions are expected to force full closures on both sides of SH25 within hours.
About 10,000 households remain without power tonight in Northland. A large number, possibly thousands, could be waiting for up to three days for reconnection.
About 10,000 Auckland homes lost power during last night’s intense winds, but Vector says about 85% of customers have now been reconnected.
Roofs have lifted from several Auckland buildings, while trees have been blown on to homes and cars, as gale-force winds ripped through towns and cities.
Images posted on social media show the Paihia waterfront consumed by a massive ocean surge, exposing underground pipes.
Other photos show trucks navigating submerged Northland roads.
An elderly Auckland couple were trapped in their home by a tree blown over by ex-tropical Cyclone Tam’s destructive winds.
MetService has extended its “significant” warnings across the North Island as powerlines and trees topple and roads flood in Northland.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand has responded to more than 150 calls since 6pm last night, as MetService warns the wind will continue for at least 10 more hours.
One of those calls was a couple in their 80s who were trapped in their home on Honeysuckle Lane in Mairangi Bay.
Leanne Kidd said at 4am, the neighbour’s tree fell on her family home, where her parents live.
The tree narrowly missed her parents’ bedroom and badly damaged the property’s exterior balcony.
Her parents, who built the home in the 1980s, were trapped in the house as firefighters cut the tree with a chainsaw.
“They’re a bit worried it might collapse on them,” Kidd said.
An Auckland couple in their 80s have been trapped in their home by a fallen tree.
Meanwhile, Northlanders have been warned they might have no power for three days.
Northpower said at its peak, 20,000 customers were without power.
“We’ve managed to restore power to about 8000 connections, and as of this morning, approximately 12,000 are still without power.
“Please be aware that if you’re currently without power, it’s likely you’ll remain off for most of today and possibly overnight. In some areas, especially those with more severe damage, it may take two to three days.”
Ex-Cyclone Tam is set to lash the North Island with heavy rain and strong winds expected to worsen. Photo / Annette Mckinder
‘Very significant’ weather warnings extended
Aucklanders have been warned strong winds will last for at least another 14 hours.
said strong winds will persist in Auckland until midnight and until 8pm in Northland.
Strong wind watches are in place for Taumarunui, Taihape, Taranaki and Buller.
Northlanders have been told to expect 40 to 70mm of rain over the next 12 hours.
Heavy rain warnings have been extended for the Coromandel Peninsula, with MetService telling residents to expect 30 hours of intense rainfall from now until tomorrow afternoon.
Heavy rain warnings are also in place for 36 hours for Bay of Plenty and 39 hours in Gisborne, with residents warned of 200mm of rain.
