Posted: 26 May 2006
Watch for flooding today, Northlanders warned
Northland’s saturated land and rain-swollen rivers may struggle to cope with at least another 70mm of rain predicted for today, with officials warning flooding is a real possibility in Whangarei and the mid-North.
Graeme MacDonald, Hazard Management Team Leader for the Northland Regional Council, says the MetService issued a new heavy rain warning for the region just after 9am today.
“It advises rain is expected to become heavy this morning. In the nine to 12 hours from 10am today, up to 70mm of rain is likely, especially about the eastern hills.
Heaviest falls are expected late afternoon or early evening, when rain could briefly reach 15 to 20mm per hour in a strong to gale north-easterly.”
Mr MacDonald says many Northland rivers are already running high and much of the region is already saturated after several days of rain.
“If more heavy rain and strong winds eventuate as predicted today, there is a real possibility of flooding in both urban and rural Whangarei and in the mid-North.
Mr MacDonald says Regional Council staff will be monitoring the situation but adds people should keep a close watch for rising river levels and potentially hazardous driving conditions.
“Farmers in potentially affected areas who have not already moved stock to higher ground should do so as soon as possible. People should also keep up to date with the updated forecasts throughout the day.