Seventy lightning strikes in Northland during storm

A lightning strike captured from Weir St, Onerahi. PHOTO/ANITA HOLLIS

While some were retreating inside during a thunderstorm in Northland one woman was looking for the perfect spot to capture footage of some of the 70 lightning strikes which hit the region.

Thunder, lightning and heavy rain hit Northland on Wednesday afternoon causing surface flooding - which prompted warnings for motorists to take care, and swollen rivers which left two people trapped at Piroa Falls while they waited for water levels to go down.

MetService Meteorologist Peter Little said 70 lightning strikes were recorded in Northland on Wednesday afternoon and 17.6mm of rain was recorded at Marsden Pt from 4pm to 5pm.

Flooding in Totara Place, Raumanga. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Whangarei Heads woman Anita Hollis had stopped at a friend's house in Waikaraka on her way to town when the storm hit about 3pm.

"We saw a big black cloud coming in and heard thunder and saw lighting and thought 'so awesome'. We decided to abort the mission and I was trying to think where we should stop to watch it," she said.

A wrong turn led Ms Hollis and daughter Jasmine to Weir St where she stood under an umbrella capturing photos of lightning strikes.

"There were tons. I saw the one that hit Parihaka and all the rest were big flashes."

Ms Hollis said she has always loved storms.

"Anything to do with nature I love. It's not just the sunshine that's important," she said.

Northland police said there had been reports of surface flooding on Wednesday near Whangarei Hospital, Loop Rd in Otaika and the State Highway One turn off to Maungaturoto.

The rain created a bit of a creek at this dairy farm on Kara Rd, Maungatapere. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Northern Advocate readers sent in images of flooding in Ruatangata, Maungatapere and images of hail in Matarau.

Meanwhile, Mr Little said this weekend won't be looking as bad for Northland.

"The thunder risk would have eased, there will be a chance of showers [this] evening and this weekend there will be a few showers on Saturday and as the front crosses those showers will turn to rain on Sunday," he said.