Heavy rain may bring flooding, slips to Northland

The Northland Civil Defence Emergency Management Group is warning Northlanders to be aware of possible flooding and slips caused by heavy rain forecast from this afternoon to tomorrow evening.

MetService has issued a heavy rain warning, predicting 120-180mm of rain for Northland in the 30 hours from 3pm today until 9pm Wednesday. However, MetService also says more than 180mm is possible in the hills in the north and east of Northland, with peak intensities of 25 to 45mm per hour and thunderstorms possible.

Northland CDEM spokesperson Victoria Randall said the impact could be similar to the rainfall experienced in the region in early March. “Although this weather system is forecast to move away quickly tomorrow evening, Northland received double the expected amount of rainfall during March.

“With soil conditions close to saturation, any rain will run straight off and rivers will respond immediately to the intense rain. Surface flooding and slips are also likely.

“We would expect Northlanders to have taken actions such as clearing gutters and drains following the previous event, and advise Northlanders to minimise travel over the next day or so and check road conditions before they leave, via options such as the AA Roadwatch website, local radio or social media.”

“Civil Defence will continue to monitor the situation and will update the public as required, including through the Northland CDEM Group’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/civildefencenorthland ”