Wild weather in North Island, NZ

NZ: Wild winds and rain cause havoc

Hundreds of North Island residents are without power this morning following last night's wild weather

NZ Herald,

25 September, 2013

Heavy rain and strong gales lashed the upper half of the North Island overnight - with some residents reporting flooding and lifted roof tiles in their homes.

Vector lines company said 1200 customers were without power in Oratia and Hunua this morning, down from 6600 homes during the night.

Crews were continuing to work frantically to restore power, a spokeswoman said.

Fallen trees, debris, flooding had also closed several roads around the North Island.

Police, who received about 80 weather-related calls in the northern area overnight, have shut off four roads in the Rodney area.

Drivers on the North Island's East Coast will also face delays this morning.

The Transport Agency has advised flooding and fallen trees are causing problems on State highway 35 from Te Araroa to Tolaga Bay. Motorists should take extra care if travelling on the road.

In Hastings, flooding and a slip south of the Glencoe Station Road intersection has blocked both lanes on State Highway 50 in Fernhill. Detours are in place.

Motorists have been advised the following roads are closed:

• Whangaparoa Road and surrounding roads on the Whangaparoa Peninsula

• Hibiscus Cost Highway from the Southern Bridge to the Northern Bridge at Orewa

• State Highway 16 from Kaukapakapa o Wellsford.

Northern police communications shift inspector Steve Kose said Sunnyside Road in Coatesville, which had been shut off due to flooding, was now open.

Anyone travelling should take extra care and report any blockages on the road, he said.

Auckland Airport advised four regional flights had been cancelled due to the weather.

A spokesman said they were monitoring the situation closely, and it was unlikely any international flights would be affected.

Passengers should contact their airline for information, he said.

The Fire Service spent the night responding to 175 weather-related calls.

Shift manager Megan Ruru said jobs were reported from "all-over the place", including on Auckland's North Shore, the Coromandel, East Coast and the Haurakai Gulf.

Felled trees due to the high winds, which reached 100 km/h in exposed coastal areas and gulf islands, flooding and land slips kept fire fighters busy, she said.

Five to six homes also reported property damage, including some with lifted tiles.

Civil Defence also set up a emergency evacuation centre for Orewa residents, whose homes received a battering in the weather, however it was not needed.