Heavy rain has left roads flooded and triggered slips across Waikato highways, with motorists trapped and communities cut off.
Vehicles are this morning trapped on sections of State Highway 3 in the Awakino Gorge after the road was closed by multiple slips and flooding.
Police say they’re aware of some vehicles “unable to move” after “significant weather” has made the Waikato highway impassable at places.
The road is now closed between Mokau and Piopio and is expected to stay closed until this afternoon.
At least two settlements, Awakino and Māhoenui are effectively cut off.
State Highway 31 is affected by multiple slips between Ngutunui and Okupata Rds while State Highway 30 is closed between Te Kūiti and Benneydale by flooding.
An NZTA spokesperson said there are “no suitable detours” and motorists should delay their journey or expect long delays.
In neighbouring Ruapehu, the Ōhura River is nearing breach level at the railway bridge and two main roads are closed after being completely inundated by flood waters.
There are also multiple slips reported across the district, closing access roads to Ōhura.
Ruapehu District Council spokesperson said Ōhura and Mangapapa Rds are both closed, road closure signs are in place at SH4 and the base of the Ōkahukura Saddle.
They said Hohotaka Rd is beginning to slip away and has the possibility of washing right out.
Flooding is reported on Taupō Rd, and there are slips on Kawautahi Rd, Ōkahukura Saddle and Marsack Rd.
A police spokesperson urged motorists across the Waikato district to take care in the “significant weather conditions” and to limit themselves to essential travel only.
“Reducing speed, using headlights and windscreen wipers, and watching your visibility will also ensure a safe trip.”
MetService has upgraded its warnings for Waitomo, and Waikato south of Raglan and Cambridge. The orange warning came into force at 7am and was expected to last until midday.
The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) said SH3 is now closed and police are urging motorists to not to travel through the gorge. No detour is available.
An Awakino local told the Herald the river was extremely high, reaching high tide levels while at low tide.
Mokau School principal Maryann Symonds said she had been able to contact all the students affected by the slips and flooding.
She said some would not be able to make it to school today, but the school was remaining open to those who could.
Symonds said she had confirmed all families were “safe and sound”.
A Mokau cafe worker said there were “barely any cars” and thunderstorms were continuing to lash the area.
“It’s a really terrible day, the weather is awful.”
She said it was not uncommon for the gorge to close in severe weather, but the lack of confirmation on when it might reopen was “concerning.”
NZTA spokesperson Blair Cunningham said crews were onsite clearing the road “as safely and efficiently as possible”.
MetService meteorologist Juliana Bergdolt said about 1am, a thunderstorm slammed the Awakino Gorge with 16.5mm of rain in just an hour.
According to NZTA, the road was closed at 1.47am.
A heavy rain warning for the eastern ranges of Bay of Plenty began at 1am today and expires at 6pm.
Between 90 and 120mm of rain is forecast across the affected areas, with peak rates of 20mm/h.
A heavy rain watch is in force for Auckland, Great Barrier Island, Coromandel Peninsula, and Waikato about and north of Raglan to Cambridge until 2pm.
Wet weather to persist across North Island
Meanwhile, MetService forecaster Alannah Burrows told the Herald the wet weather would continue across the North Island today.
“There will be some fronts pushing up north eastwards and they’re going to continue to cross the North Island,” she said.
“For a lot of areas, we’re seeing rain with heavy outbreaks at times.”
Burrows said the rain would begin to clear from the southeast in the second half of today.
“Rain with heavy outbreaks is expected to ease for places like Auckland late afternoon and early evening to showers,” she said.
In the South Island, the unsettled conditions are forecast to move off the island early today.
“It’s going to be the nicest for the west coast of the South Island, but we’re going to hang on to some clouds and the odd showers for the east coast of the South Island,” Burrows said.
New Zealand is set to see a brief break in the unsettled weather tomorrow morning before a new front begins to move up the South Island.
“We’ve kind of got this transient ridge over the country in the morning, bringing a respite for all the rain we have been seeing,” Burrows said.
“Our next frontal system is going to make its way up the South Island on Wednesday.
“It’s been a busy spring, but it’s typical for this time of year,” Burrows said.
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