However, the record-breaking rain and the gale force winds which battered the region yesterday have left a trail of destruction in their wake.
In the Far North, which bore the brunt of the storm, more than 30 roads remained closed today, Kaitaia and Kawakawa townships were without water and an estimated 1600 homes were still without power.
The Far North District Council (FNDC) says officials are hopeful most homes would have their electricity restored by later today and that water should be able to be restored to Kaitaia by mid-morning. The situation was less clear at Kawakawa, where electricity is needed to power the town water supply.
Floodwaters and roads rendered impassable by debris and slips meant an estimated 600 of people spent the night away from home on marae and emergency shelters and an official State Of Local Emergency was declared by District Mayor, Yvonne Sharp, at 4.15pm yesterday.
In Kaitaia, the FNDC was hoping to today allow the return of residents evacuated overnight from pensioner flats and an old folks home due to rising floodwaters.
The State of Local Emergency remains in force in the Far North and will be reviewed today.
In the Whangarei District, local authorities say about 60 roads remain affected by the weather, either due to slips or felled trees, and electricity problems have left a number of homes without power as well as affecting a number of wastewater plants.
Northland Regional Council Hydrologists say river levels in the Mid and Far North are generally falling now after peaking overnight, in some case up to 12 metres above normal levels.
Hydrologist Dale Hansen says staff will continue to monitor the situation and are keeping a wary eye on river levels in the Kaipara area, because of the volumes of water still making their way into the already rain-swollen Northern Wairoa and Mangakahia Rivers
Mr Hansen says NRC figures show the rain eased dramatically in most parts of Northland from midnight last night, with only a few millimetres of rain falling on most areas.
However, the preceding 24 hours were a completely different story, with 272.5mm recorded in the Kaeo area, 217.5mm at Puhipuhi, 180.5mm on Whangarei City, 166mm on the Eastern Mangamuka Ranges, 163mm on Kerikeri’s western hills and 147.5mm at Ohaeawai.
Meanwhile, officials from the Northland Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Group – which is monitoring the situation from its Whangarei-based Emergency Operating Centre – is urging people to stay off the region’s roads again today.
Although the worst of the rain appears to have passed, they say a number of roads are still impassable or affected by water, slips, trees and other debris.
People in coastal areas are also being warned that tides might be up to a metre higher than usual today because of the storm.
Weather-related information - including road closures – will continue to be posted as they come to hand on the Northland Regional Council’s website on the following link www.nrc.govt.nz/flooding
Those without power should listen to More FM (91.6FM ) or Classic Hits Radio Northland (96FM).
Alternatively, they can telephone the following organisations for information;
• Far North District Council 0800 920 029
• Whangarei District Council 0800 932 463
• Northland Regional Council 0800 002 004