Clean-up continues in Northland after heavy overnight rain

Storm-weary Northlanders are today returning their attention to clean-up efforts after another drenching overnight.

Graeme MacDonald, spokesman for the Northland Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Group, said while there had been a number of issues – including slips and flooding which had partially blocked State Highway One near the Brynderwyn Hill for several hours – the region appeared to have emerged without significant further damage.

Although motorists were advised to continue to drive with caution throughout the region, the Brynderwyn Hill slips had been cleared by the early hours of Sunday morning and Mr MacDonald paid tribute to the efforts of all emergency services, roading agencies and contractors, and other authorities who had again worked through the night dealing with flooding, slips, stranded vehicles and other weather-related issues.

He reiterated that anyone whose home is flooded or who urgently needed accommodation, food, heating, clothing or medical supplies should contact their local council in the first instance. The Far North District Council number is 0800 920 029, the Whangarei District Council number is 0800 932 463 and Kaipara residents should call their council on 0800 727 059.

River levels throughout Northland had been monitored closely and although they had risen significantly overnight, causing localised flooding in some areas, there were not widespread issues.

Northland Regional Council rainfall figures for the 24 hours to 6am Sunday show that more than 100mm of rain fell in some locations in Northland. In the Far North, Opouteke recorded the highest rainfall with 63.5mm over the 24 hours. Puhipuhi (north of Whangarei) received 69mm – this was enough to create a 1.5m rise in the inflows into Hikurangi Swamp but stopbanks were not overflowing.

In Whangarei, 106mm had been recorded in Maunu and a similar amount (105.2mm) at the regional council's Water St offices.

Maungaturoto had received 70mm and Dargaville 59.6mm over the 24 hours.

A peak rainfall intensity of 33mm/hour was recorded at the Brynderwyn rain gauge in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Rain is expected to continue throughout today but this is not expected to cause further concern.

Civil Defence will continue to update the public as required, including through the Northland CDEM Group's Facebook page – www.facebook.com/civildefencenorthland

Information about any local district council road and State Highway closures/issues in Northland while warnings are in force is available from the Automobile Association website via www.AAroadwatch.co.nz

General Civil Defence information is also available from the Northland Regional Council's website www.nrc.govt.nz/civildefence

Northpower and Top Energy remain keen for all faults to be reported to them. Top Energy's fault line number is 0800 867 363 and Northpower's 0800 10 40 40.