Flash flooding swept through parts of Wairoa on Saturday as severe storms lashed the North Island, with motorists in Gisborne and surrounding regions urged to take extra care amid wild weather.Reported by 1News.
MetService issued multiple severe thunderstorm watches and heavy rain warnings, saying conditions were “favourable for severe thunderstorms” as a low-pressure system moved across the island through Saturday and Sunday. Heavy rain warnings were in force for Gisborne/Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay.
Forecasts indicated Gisborne could receive between 110 and 170mm of rain through to Sunday morning, particularly in elevated areas, with intense localised downpours of up to 40mm an hour. Hawke’s Bay was expected to see 90–140mm, while parts of the Wairoa District could receive as much as 170mm.
Police urged motorists around Gisborne to avoid non-essential travel after receiving multiple reports of surface flooding and road closures across the region.
"Police are urging anyone who must travel to exercise extreme care, especially as night falls.
"Drivers are also warned to be especially careful when driving through fords or surface water."
A severe thunderstorm warning was first issued for Wairoa at around 11am and was renewed twice before being lifted early in the afternoon. The storms moved east-southeast and were accompanied by torrential rain, resulting in surface flooding, particularly in low-lying areas.
Wairoa District Council advised residents to closely monitor live river levels, rainfall data and flood conditions, sharing regular updates on social media.
One local resident told 1News that floodwater in his yard was “as deep as my red band gumboots".
Funnel clouds were reported in several parts of the North Island, including near Paeroa and at Parua Bay near Whangārei, adding to concerns as unstable weather continued to affect large parts of the country.
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