Cyclone Vaianu and heavy rain: Northland braces for more flooding risk

Meteorologist John Law said it was to be a windy and wet day for Northland, with impacts especially around the east.

The system was moving west to east and wouldn’t clear Whangārei until about 3am tomorrow, he said.

“It’s going to take its time to get through.”

Six roads are closed across the Far North, with the district’s council noting Taupo Bay Rd was closed at the intersection with State Highway 10 after a farm dam burst.

Impacted roads were Oruaiti Road at Mangōnui, Taupō Bay Rd, Trigg Rd, Waikare Rd, Waimate North Rd, and Waiotemarama Gorge Rd.

New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi said there was surface flooding at State Highway 10 Mangōnui, Kāeo and Waipapa, as well as SH15 at Te Pua.

Traffic management is in place at SH10 Waipapa.

“Do not drive through flood water. Road conditions can change rapidly – please be prepared for roads to be closed at short notice,” a spokesperson said.

Whangārei mayor Ken Couper said Whangārei District Council staff were using every chance they could to work on roads and clear drains and culverts.

Today’s rain had halted work on the slip at Russell Rd, and Kaiikanui Rd had flooded as well.

“And then also we’ve got the old farmers on the Hikurangi Swamp ... you’ve got to feel for them a bit don’t you, because they’ve been under twice and potentially looking at another one.”

The district’s wider infrastructure looked to be holding up well, Couper said.

Waitangi at Wiroa Rd saw 136mm of rain fall in the last 24 hours, the highest level recorded on Northland Regional Council’s rain radar list during that timeframe.

Kāeo received 122.2mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours in total, with MetService saying 24mm fell in less than an hour.

There were no reported power outages.

Civil Defence Northland said the region had recorded 30mm to 60mm of rain so far today, mainly in eastern areas.

“Roads and river levels remain generally stable, however, there is a lot of surface water around, especially in the east, and the ground is still quite saturated.

“Thunderstorms and localised downpours are still possible and could lead to rapidly rising rivers and streams, localised surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions.”

Whangārei District Council advised that the pilot service on Kaiikanui Rd for those on the northeast coast near Ōakura had stopped because of flooding.

MetService is monitoring Cyclone Vaianu, currently west of Fiji.

“It’s likely to bring some strong winds and heavy rainfall,” Law said.

However, it was still five days away, meaning predictions could change.

“It’s still one of those weather systems to keep an eye on ... these weather systems can bring heavy rainfall, strong winds, larger swells around the coast.

“It’s still worth keeping a closer eye on how things will pan out.”

The last bout of wet weather two weeks ago saw eastern areas of the region placed under a red heavy rain warning.

Whangārei and Far North districts were placed under states of emergency, around 400 residents were evacuated from Kaitāia, and others were displaced in South Hokianga.

Manaaki (recovery) hubs have been set up across the Far North to provide support to communities impacted by last month’s weather.

The marae-based approach offers information, advice and support related to wellbeing, financial assistance, welfare and accommodation.

Hubs are planned for -

Brodie Stone covers crime and emergency for the Northern Advocate. She has spent most of her life in Whangārei and is passionate about delving into issues that matter to Northlanders and beyond.