New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi crews worked on a slip on SH25 between Coromandel and Kūaotunu overnight. Photo / NZTA
New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi crews worked on a slip on SH25 between Coromandel and Kūaotunu overnight. Photo / NZTA
State Highway 25 in Coromandel has reopened after slips forced an overnight closure during severe weather.
The road was the last remaining road closure on the peninsula after this week’s deluge, and was closed from Coromandel to Matarangi Rd, Kūaotunu.
A powerful weather system that sweptdown the country this week delivered heavy rainfall totals, with some areas recording more than a month’s rain in a couple of days.
The highest totals were recorded in the Coromandel Ranges, where Castle Rock received 412mm of rain between Wednesday and Friday, while the Pinnacles recorded 347mm.
A MetService spokesperson said Saturday would provide a chance for affected regions to “take a breath” and assess damage, but another band of rain is expected to move over the country from late Sunday into Monday.
“The next system is not expected to be as severe and will be more short-lived, though it will bring a shift to cooler, more southerly conditions.”
MetService forecaster Gerard Bellam said the heaviest rain this week fell in elevated northern areas, as expected, before the system tracked south, affecting much of the country.
New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) has warned motorists that crews will be out working to clean up more slips in the Coromandel this weekend.