Flooding and slips for Northland

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Northland has been warned that more flooding and slips could occur with heavy rain and severe gales forecasted over the weekend.

The Northland Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Group has warned Northlanders that 120mm to 180mm of rain is forecast to fall between now and tomorrow evening on the already soaked region.

Spokesman Graeme MacDonald said the rain was expected to fall in peak intensities of 15mm to 25mm an hour, mainly on Sunday morning or in thunderstorms.

He said that comes on top of some rain that had already fallen on parts of the region overnight and early today.

"Given that overnight rain, and the fact much of Northland is still fairly soaked on the back of the storms and wet weather we've experienced over the past couple of months, the forecast rain will probably cause some flooding and possibly more slips."

Mr MacDonald said the MetService had also issued a severe weather watch predicting severe easterly gales.

He said at this stage it appeared the wind and rain will be worst over a few hours late tonight and into the early hours of tomorrow morning.

"The winds should ease significantly during Sunday afternoon and the rain is expected to move away shortly afterward in the early evening."

Mr MacDonald said given the recent damaging storms, most Northlanders would be familiar with the spots most likely to flood or experience other weather-related problems and would take the appropriate precautions.

He said officials would be keeping a close eye on weather - including new forecasts and warnings - as they come to hand over the weekend and they urge the public to do the same.