Heavy rain, wind may cause flooding, damage

Northlanders – especially those north of Whangarei – are being warned to keep a wary eye on river and stream levels with up to 150mm of rain, flooding and strong potentially damaging winds forecast for the weekend.

MetService forecasters have issued a severe weather warning, saying Northlanders can expect 120-150mm of rain – and possible flooding - in the 24 hours from 6am tomorrow (subs: Saturday 11 July)

Rain is expected to develop from around midnight tonight and become heavy during Saturday morning. In the 24 hours from 6am Saturday until 6am Sunday, about 120 to 150mm of rain is likely, especially about the eastern hills from Whangarei northwards.

Dale Hansen, Water Resources / Hydrology Programme Manager for the Northland Regional Council, says forecasters warn the heaviest falls are expected during Saturday afternoon and evening when intensities may reach 20 to 25mm/hr.

He says gale force easterlies are forecast to develop at a similar time to the heavy rain, and should turn southeast during Sunday.

“Damaging gusts of 120 to 140 km/h are possible during Saturday and Sunday, especially about the higher ground of Northland.”

Mr Hansen says the predicted wild weekend weather is the result of a low near New Caledonia that is expected to deepen rapidly today and move towards New Zealand.

He says if the rain falls in the amounts predicted, Northlanders should keep a close eye on river and stream levels and watch for surface flooding in usual places.

“The MetService warns the combination of the heavy rain and strong winds is likely to make driving hazardous and lead to surface flooding, slips, rapidly rising streams and rivers and could also damage trees and buildings.”

Mr Hansen says farmers with stock in low-lying areas are advised to move them to higher ground today.

Northlanders should also keep up to date with the latest forecasts and says officials will also be keeping a close watch on the weather as it develops.

He says river and rainfall data from throughout Northland is automatically posted at two hour intervals on the Regional Council’s website www.nrc.govt.nz/riversandrain