The worst of the rough weather that has pounded Northland over the past two days has eased, but MetService says there is still a risk of more rain today.
The clean-up has started but Northland Civil Defence says there is significant damage in some places. Photo: Northland Civil Defence / Facebook
The region is in clean-up mode, after heavy rain flooded houses and businesses and damaged roads.
MetService forecaster David Miller said conditions will gradually improve today.
"There are still some showers around and there is the possibility of thunderstorms this morning and into the afternoon, but that should ease away this evening."
Miller said there is also likely to be more rain in Gisborne and Hawke's Bay today, but it is unlikely to be heavy enough to cause further problems.
Several residents in Tolaga Bay evacuated overnight on Friday and numerous roads on the East Coast were also affected by floodwaters.
The rain has affected water systems, and the Whangārei and Far North councils have asked people to conserve water until damage can be fixed.
In Whangārei residents are being asked to halve their water use. Two of the city's three plants are partially working, and up to 80 percent of the water normally needed for the city is being produced.
However, the Whangārei District Council says unless there is a 50 percent water saving, the city runs the risk of running out.
The temporary water restrictions are expected to last for a week.
Most roads reopened
Most Northland roads have reopened today but motorists are urged to drive with care.
The exception is State Highway 1 through the Mangamuka Gorge in the Far North which is likely to remain shut for several days due to at least seven slips. SH1 is closed from Makene Road to Victoria Valley Road. The detour route is SH10 and will add 20-30 minutes to most journeys.
There are at least seven slips through the Mangamuka Gorge. Photo: Northland Civil Defence / Facebook
Waka Kotahi / Transport Agency Northland system manager Jacqui Hori-Hoult urged motorists to check the latest travel updates because the situation could change rapidly.
"Drive to the conditions, keep your speed down and watch out for unexpected road hazards like potholes where flood waters have receded. More rain could lead to renewed surface flooding in low-lying areas and slips. Heavy rain can also reduce visibility," she said in a statement.
Caution is still urged on a number of roads:
- Water is still on the road at Taumarere on SH11 Paihia to Kawakawa
- Water is still on the road at Moerewa on SH1
- Taheke Bridge on SH12 is now open to one lane of traffic
- Road crews are fixing potholes today after a 30m section of road washed out on SH1 through Loop Road
Civil Defence Northland is still advising people to avoid non-essential travel saying water levels are still close to or covering the roads in some locations and rivers could rise quickly again with any further rainfall.
In a statement, Civil Defence said getting the roading network up and running remains a priority and roading authorities and contractors are assessing the situation today.
However it said there is significant damage in some places and some of the repairs will require detailed engineering and planning.
Civil Defence Minister, Peeni Henare, will visit Whangārei today to assess the damage. He said the government is on standby to help the communities affected by flooding.
Flooding just off State Highway 1, south of Whangārei Photo: RNZ / Sarah Robson
A Work and Income office will be open in Northland today to help people affected by the flooding in the region.
The Kawakawa office on Gillies Street will open between 10am and and 3pm today.
Work and income staff will provide advice on financial assistance to people in the Kawakawa and Moerewa communities.
Cows escaping flood waters on Waihue Road in Dargaville. Photo: Supplied / Robert du Preez
A Northland farmer said flooding throughout the region would put extra pressure on some farmers who have been battling their sixth drought since 2009.
The heavy rain has left low-lying farmland underwater and many roads impassable.
Northland Federated Farmers president John Blackwell said the flooding will not help grass growth which has already been stunted by the long dry spell.
"We know we've been going through a drought, there's actually no feed available to get by and we know that resource is running very low since we've been feeding out since February, so that's put an extra pressure on those farms."