Flash flooding in Auckland suburb

File photo / Richard Robinson

The Auckland suburb of Papakura has been hit by flash flooding after a thunderstorm dropped a large amount of rain on the area.

A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued by MetService for Auckland.

Police say there has been flooding of houses and streets in the Dominion Road, Sheehan Avenue and Red Hill Road area.

Several houses appear to have been flooded and there is expected to be disruption to traffic in the area.

WeatherWatch.co.nz said the band of heavy showers formed this afternoon over the Hunua and Bombay ranges.

Similar showers this week caused surface flooding across the Waikato.

WeatherWatch.co.nz said some heavy downpours could affect the Southern Motorway and the eastern coastline as far north as the CBD this afternoon, before easing tonight.

- HERALD ONLINE