The big clean up begins today after torrential rain caused flooding and slips from South Auckland to the Coromandel Peninsula. Here is what you need to know.
The Cleveland Polo Club. Photo: RNZ / Brad White
Weather
The MetService said rain eased dramatically in the Coromandel overnight, but more downpours are expected today, including for Northland.
It has issued a severe wind and rain warning for Coromandel Peninsula and Northland. They would get another 100mm of rain.
Winds on Auckland Harbour Bridge could gust up to 65 kmh.
More heavy rain is expected in the upper North Island on Friday, which had the potential to cause more flooding, slips and debris on roads.
Roads - Coromandel
West Coromandel
Multiple small slips are on State Highway 25 from Thames to Kereta. Motorists should take care.
East Coromandel
SH25a from Whangamata to Thames is open. SH25 between Tairua and Hikuai reopened about 7.30am.
Two closures remain on SH25, between Hikuai to Whitianga, which could last all day:
- SH25 is closed south of Whiritoa because of a large slip. Emergency services were there. There is no detour.
- Around Whangamata, SH25 is closed between Port Road and Whangamata Harry Watt Road. There is a detour.
The flooded Rhodes Park in Kopu, near Thames, offered some fun for some. Photo: RNZ / Eva Corlett
Auckland
These roads in the Clevedon-Maraetai-Hunua area remain closed:
- Twilight Rd from Kimptons Rd to North Rd.
- Tourist Rd.
- The south end of McNicol Rd.
- East Coast Rd, from Orere to Kaiaua.
One lane is open on:
- Clevedon-Kawakawa Rd
- Kawakawa-Orere Rd
- Orere Point Rd
- Maraetai Coast Rd
- North Rd
There are significant slips and surface water over many roads on Waiheke Island.
Ferries
Gulf Harbour ferry services would be via bus until further notice, Auckland Transport said.
Power
About 100 homes in Clevedon, Kawakawa Bay and Whitford, south-east Auckland, are still without electricity.
Vector said crews were unable to access the areas because of heavy flooding and slips - but a helicopter surveyed the damage yesterday.
Depending on road closures and weather conditions, crews aimed to get most of the power back on by this afternoon, it said.
Outages can be viewed here.
Wastewater
The Whangamata system was overloaded in the flooding yesterday. The council was monitoring the situation, but residents should beware of a potential health risk.
Schools
The flooding has closed four schools and seven early childhood centres across the Coromandel/Waikato region, including First Steps Whangamata.
Waiheke Primary School was flooded and expects to remain closed until a least Friday.
The Ministry of Education said others others were in clean up mode after leaks and flood damage.