Northland has escaped torrential rain and flooding overnight.
Rain has stopped for most of the region and there are no widespread flooding issues, said Northland Civil Defence Emergency Management group controller, Graeme MacDonald.
“Thankfully we didn’t get the major issues that we thought we were going to get from the MetService heavy rain warning,” he said on social media at 8am.
A state of emergency was declared across the region on Tuesday – a precaution because of the forecast – causing many businesses and offices to shut early.
READ MORE:
* Concerns for Māori and disabled as state of emergency declared in Northland
* Waitangi commemorations to go ahead despite state of emergency
* Auckland, Northland’s misery continues as heavy rain keeps coming
The state of emergency remains in place but will be reviewed on Wednesday morning, MacDonald said.
“That won’t stop people going about their normal business today,” he said.
There is no order for schools to close like in Auckland, so it is up to individual schools to open if they can, MacDonald said.
While the rain was not as bad as predicted, Whangārei mayor Vince Cocurullo said the state of emergency was the best option at the time.
“It’s better to be pre-warned than the other way,” he said.
Notorious flooding spots like Kāeo had just 33mm of rain in 24 hours to 7.15am.
Cocurullo said the worst of the rain fell in the southern parts of Northland, with Marsden Point getting 84mm of rain over 24 hours.
Denise Piper/Stuff
A tree down on Russell Rd near Oakura on Tuesday was cleared away by crews by Tuesday evening.
Whirinaki Valley in south Hokianga was evacuated on Tuesday but there have been no reports of other evacuations.
About 500 homes and businesses in the Awanui area were without power on Wednesday morning.
A further 100 in South Hokianga also had power cut, with Top Energy expecting to have power restored there by 2pm.
Far North mayor Moko Tepania said it was great the area had come out relatively unscathed.
Whangārei cafe owner Scott Nicholl from Nook Espresso said it appeared the CBD had not flooded overnight.
Denise Piper/Stuff
Nook Espresso Cafe in central Whangārei put towels down on Tuesday afternoon, but they were not needed.
The precautionary towels that the cafe had put down on Tuesday afternoon were not even damp, he said.
Normal numbers of people were in Whangārei on Wednesday morning, Nicholl said.
State highway still closed, caution required on other roads
State Highway 1 remains closed at Brynderwyn Hill, with heavy traffic urged to used SH12 and SH14.
Light vehicles can detour through Mangawhai and Waipū, however, they will need to drive with caution as there is a slip Cove Rd East at Langs Beach, Cocurullo said.
Waipu Gorge Rd is closed due to a major slip and fallen tree.
A number of roads are also down to one lane but passable with caution in Whangārei district.
They are Bahama Pl (Parahaki), Brooks Rd, Cove Rd (Langs Beach), Finlayson Brook Rd, Glenmohr Rd, Matapouri Rd (Sandy Bay hill), Millbrook Rd, Russell Rd (Whangaruru), South Rd (near Waipū township) and Waipu Caves Rd.
Cocurullo urged people to report any flooding, slip or fallen trees to council – call 09-430-4200 in Whangārei.
In the Far North, Maromākū-Tōwai Rd is the only road closed by flooding, although SH1 at Mangamuka Gorge remains closed after slips in August 2022.
Caution is also required on a number of Far North local roads due to flooding or fallen trees.
They are Commerce St (Kaitāia), West Coast Rd (Mitimiti), Takou Bay Rd (Kāeo), Otatara Marae Rd (Waimā), Matawaia-Maromākū Rd, Pokapū Rd (Moerewa), Curtis Rd (Rāwene),
Hōreke Rd, Wekaweka Rd (Waimamaku).
In Kaipara, Child Rd and Valley Rd are restricted to four-wheel-drives only due to flooding, and caution is required on Taipuha Sett Rd due to flooding. Pebblebrooke Rd is down to one lane due to a slip.
