Northland is set for a battering day today and tomorrow.
Northland is set for a battering day today and tomorrow.
Northland could be in for a battering today and tomorrow with heavy rain and winds of up to 130km/h forecast for the region and the likelihood of flooding.
The region's councils are on high alert, with the foul weather having the potential to bring down trees, flood and block roadsand endanger the public.
MetService meteorologist John Law said a low is forecast to approach northern New Zealand during today, bringing heavy rain and strong easterly winds.
Mr Low said 120-160mm of rain is expected about the eastern hills of Northland from about midday today to midday tomorrow, with locally intense falls possibly exceeding 25mm per hour for a time. As well, winds of up to 130km/h could start battering parts of the region from this afternoon and continue into tomorrow, he said.
"Rivers and streams are likely to rise rapidly and surface flooding and slips are possible. Easterly gales are also expected to develop over Northland from late Tuesday morning, with gusts of 130km/h. Winds of this strength have the potential to damage trees, powerlines and unsecured structures, and with the combination of heavy rain make driving conditions hazardous." Further rain and strong winds are expected in Northland tomorrow into Thursday morning but should be of lesser intensity, he said.
The heaviest rainfall is expected north of Whangarei from this evening through to tomorrow morning, when intensities could locally exceed 25mm per hour in possible thunderstorms.
WDC group manager infrastructure and services Simon Weston said a close eye was being kept on the weather and plans were in place to deal with any potential problems if they occur.
FNDC communications manager Richard Edmondson said the council's roading contractors would be keeping an eye on the situation today in case the weather caused problems, while the Hokianga Ferry was put on notice that it may have to stop sailing if the sea became too rough.
Mr Edmondson said it was just a possibility, rather than a likelihood, that the ferry would be affected.
Both councils urged motorist not to drive on flooded roads and to be aware that there could be trees or branches across roads. Any Northland road closures caused by the weather will be posted on the AA road watch website at www.aa.co.nz/traffic/roadwatch.
