Northland heavy rain eases after overnight floods

A Northland motorist is counting his lucky stars after he walked away unscathed following a tree crushing the bonnet of his car.

Peter Corkill was on his drive home to Pataua South yesterday with two lamb racks for his partner's birthday when disaster struck.

"I saw it drop out of the corner of my eye, I didn't even get a chance to hit the brakes."

A large tree came down in the bad weather and landed on the bonnet of his car, smashing his front windscreen.

"The car was totally covered in tree so I couldn't get out, said Corkill, who dodged sustaining any injuries.

"The car was beginning to fill of smoke from the airbags which was concerning."

Cars line up behind Peter Corkill's crushed car in the midst of heavy rain in Northland. Photo / Supplied.

Corkill's partner and a friend came to the rescue, removing branches so Corkill could climb out the back window of the car.

"I hopped out and I was just elated to be alive," Corkill admitted.

It wasn't good news for his 6-month-old truck though, which was completely destroyed from the front.

Whangārei Heads Volunteer Fire Brigade was tasked with removing the large tree and car from the road.

Three fire trucks were sent to remove the tree, a job which Corkill understands took two hours.

Many Northlanders will be mopping up following heavy rain across the region which eased on Wednesday morning.

Members of the Tūtūkaka and Ngunguru communities reported a slip at Sandys Hill that covered one side of the road.

The Whangārei District Council said on Tuesday the Ngunguru River was "very high". The river later flooded across the main road out to the Tutukākā Coast.

Scows Landing was almost completely waterlogged making passing through a massive challenge for motorists.

The council also reported flooding at Punaruku and Russell Rd.

Last night motorists around Northland became stuck in deep water on several roads due to flood waters.

Flooding at Opuawhanga, where a car got stuck in floodwaters. Photo / Supplied

One person was stuck in their vehicle in high water on Whananaki North Rd, Opuawhanga, about 5.15pm.

Two people were trapped in their vehicle in flood waters three to four metres deep on Russell Rd shortly after 5pm.

Northpower reported power outages on Kiteone Rd in Parua Bay around 7.30pm on Tuesday as live lines came down across the road.

The Whangārei Heads Volunteer Fire Brigade secured the scene until Northpower workers were able to fix the situation.