Flooding on State Highway 1 in Whakapara. Police have since closed the road.
Video / Mala Nosa-Brown
A portion of State Highway 1 north of Whangārei that was closed yesterday due to severe flooding has reopened more than 12 hours later.
Whangārei has been hit the hardest by the recent severe weather with flooding plaguing much of the district causing schools, some businesses, and roads to close.
Northland police announced shortly before 11am on Friday that SH1 between Whakapara and Hikurangai was closed.
"Puhipuhi Road, and sections of Jordan River Valley Road have been flooded, with many vehicles unable to drive through."
Northland Regional Council rainfall data showed Whakapara at Puhipuhi had received 281.5mm in the last seven days. More than 130mm fell overnight on Thursday.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency said at 6.55am on Saturday, the section of SH1 was open again.
A heavy rain warning was issued for Northland but later lifted as was the strong wind watch.
The extreme weather was due to a low moving south from just north of Cape Reinga and its associated fronts.
Hātea in Glenbervie Forest received 186.5mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours - the wettest in the region.
Followed by Whakapara, and Ngunguru at Dugmores Rock followed suit with 124.5mm for the same time period.
The torrent of calls for help started pouring in for the region's fire brigades at around 8pm on Friday - most for fallen trees blocking roads and collapsed powerlines.
However, Rawhiti fire chief Rana Rewha says one motorist is lucky to be alive after managing to avoid being swept away in floodwaters.
The brigade was called to Russell Rd in Punaruku around 8am today by reports a man was trapped in his small 4x4 in flood waters over 2m high.
Rewha said when they arrived the man was out of his vehicle but shivering from the cold. He told firefighters he thought he was able to be swept away.
"He was blimmin' lucky, so so lucky."
Fortunately the brigade was able to reach the man, as the water was more shallow on the northern side of Russell Rd, and took him back to Rawhiti.
They also helped two Americans caught up in the floodwaters as they headed south to catch some Rugby World Cup 2021 games in Auckland.
Rewha said the number of vehicles taking on the floodwaters was "crazy". Firefighters began turning motorists around.
The Advocate understands today's floodwaters proved a headache for the Hikurangi Volunteer Fire Brigade who became trapped in Helena Bay unable to return.
Firefighters were called to the coastal settlement earlier this morning but their return trip was cut off by flooding.
Northpower spokeswoman Rachel Wansbone said strong winds and heavy rain overnight had caused several faults on their high voltage network lines,
"These have been caused by trees through lines and damage to the equipment."
Early this morning, around 450 Northpower customers were without power.
"All high voltage faults have now been resolved and crews are working to help customers with their low voltage service lines where some have experienced damage," Wansbone said.
Later today Northpower will dispatch a low flying chopper to inspect critical and difficult access lines to ensure no damage or risks may cause future outages.
The Kamo Bypass was closed this morning due to rougly half a metre of surface flooding.
The Whangārei District Council provided an extensive list of areas affected by today's weather.
Traffic is currently backed up on SH1 from Waipapa Stream overbridge all the way to Oakleigh Caltex, south of Whangārei.
Kaurihohore, Whangārei Girls' High and Kamo Intermediate were open but encouraged families to stay home if possible.
Waipū Caves Rd is blocked by flooding today, with campers stuck in between flooding at the Waipū Caves Reserve.Photo / Brodie Stone
Waipū Caves Rd is blocked by flooding with campers stuck in between flooding at the Waipū Caves Reserve.
Several vehicles are stuck in deep flood waters at the Waipū Caves reserve carpark, off Waipū Caves Rd, with reports of one car virtually covered with water.
There are several slips on SH1 over the Brynderwyn Hills, south of Whangārei with traffic management in place.
A tree has some down on Russell Rd and is blocking the road.
Surface flooding is also impacting on Mangapai Rd, near Thompson Rd.
Russell Rd is also flooded near Punaruku Rd, with reports of vehicles trapped between flooded areas of the road.
