Heavy rain causes surface flooding in Auckland

Fire crews responded to flooding incidents across Auckland today after a heavy downpour swept across the city.

Northern communications shift manager Jaron Phillips said the service was called to flooded homes or garages in Glen Eden, Stanmore Bay, Mt Roskill, and Massey.

Flooding was also reported at the Green Bay New World supermarket.

Police said the flooding did not cause any problems on the roads.

Acting Civil Defence Controller Bryan Cartelle said anyone who returned home this evening to find their home flooded, should call the Auckland Council call centre on 09 3010101 to report the flood. The Council will arrange a site visit and assistance as needed.

WeatherWatch said the flooding was caused by heavy bursts of rain, some up to 25mm per hour.

West Auckland was hardest hit by the downpours with localised flooding in some areas, said head weather analyst Philip Duncan.

Don Buck Drive in Massey was under water about 2pm, with water surging over the road and into properties.

Several homes were affected, and WeatherWatch estimated flood waters may be up to one metre deep.

Reports of hail had come in from south east Auckland.

"These are huge rain clouds towering high in the atmosphere and for some the rain is freezing into hail, but for the most part torrential rain is the main concern,'' Mr Duncan said.

The main band of rain was now pushing south and would move away from Auckland by about 5pm. However more showers would continue this afternoon and tonight, some heavy enough to cause surface flooding.

Tomorrow should see sunny spells increasing with cooler winds moving in.

Wellington is also seeing significant rain and winds driving in from the south; conditions likely to persist this afternoon and tonight.

Christchurch has been wet all day, with a nippy southerly keeping temperatures in single figures.

Conditions will gradually ease across the North Island tomorrow.