Motorists asked to take extra care due to surface flooding in Northland

Police are asking motorists to take extra care on roads with heavy rain causing surface flooding in the region. PHOTO/FILE

Motorists are being urged to take extra care this evening with heavy rain causing flooding on Northland roads.

With a severe thunderstorm watch in place for Northland and heavy downpours in the region police are asking motorists to be extra careful on roads.

Senior Sergeant Cliff Metcalfe said there had been reports of surface flooding near the Whangarei Hospital, Loop Rd in Otaika and the State Highway One turn off to Maungaturoto.

Emergency Services are also at Piroa Falls, in Maungaturoto, where there are reports of at least one person being trapped in the area due to flooding.

"We're asking motorists to take extra care on the road, the drains aren't coping, there's extra water on the road," said Mr Metcalfe.

Flooding on Pipiwai Rd, Ruatangata. PHOTO/Johanna Tito

MetService Meteorologist John Crouch said the severe thunderstorm watch for the region was in place until 7pm.

"There's been some pretty heavy rain and thunderstorms in Northland - some quite intense. The good news is the rain should ease this evening," he said.

Mr Crouch said between 2pm to 4pm there had been 19mm of rain in the Maungaturoto area and estimated there would have been about 30mm during that time period between Whangarei and Kawakawa.