Return of the big wet

Heavy rain from ex-tropical cyclone Debbie is expected to unleash its wrath on New Zealand today. Areas from Coromandel to Buller are being warned to prepare for floods as the deluge heads our way. Parts of the country are tipped to get three times Apri

Much of the North Island is bracing for heavy rain today as ex-tropical cyclone Debbie unleashes its wrath.

Niwa says the remnants of the weather system are threatening to develop into a serious situation over the next three days.

Cyclone Debbie and the rains that followed caused devastating flooding across New South Wales and Queensland in Australia last week, leaving five dead and three others still missing.

Now MetService has released a swathe of wind and rain warnings on this side of the Tasman that extend across the North Island and top of the South Island from today.

The affected areas, which stretch from Coromandel to Buller, are being warned to prepare for floods as the deluge heads our way.

The storm was forecast to hit Taranaki with a vengeance from midnight last night. Up to 400mm is expected to fall on Mt Taranaki and 250mm near the coast today and tomorrow.

Niwa said virtually no region in the North Island would escape the potentially damaging impact of the torrential rain. It will also affect districts in the northeast of the South Island.

Tropical downpours are set to saturate Northland and Auckland tonight with Wellington to be drenched by heavy falls on Wednesday.

Astounding levels of rain are forecast to pound the North Island with 125mm predicted to fall in Northland, Taranaki and the central plateau by tonight. In the latest MetService warnings Whanganui is expected to get 250mm of rain in 33 hours from early tomorrow morning until lunchtime tomorrow.

“This is a significant amount of rain . . and people are advised to watch out for rapidly rising rivers and streams, and possible surface flooding and slips,” said MetService.

Regions from Coromandel to Nelson have been placed on a watch with heavy rain likely to reach warning levels by tonight.

Severe gales are also expected to lash southern Taranaki through to Buller.

Niwa forecaster Ben Noll is warning the torrent may drop up to three times the normal rainfall for the entire month in just three days.

MetService said the worst weather will hit today and tomorrow with heavy falls across central New Zealand. There would also be strong southeasterly winds that could turn into destructive gales.

WeatherWatch said central regions around or near Cook Strait, and those facing towards the Tasman Sea such as Nelson and Taranaki, were at risk of flooding.

The Ministry of Education is advising parents to contact schools and early childhood services regarding closures as the wet weather looms.

Picture: Jason Oxenham A jogger runs near the Auckland Harbour Bridge in early morning fog yesterday. The remnants of Debbie head across the Tasman.

Pictures / AAP The extreme inundation of Australia’s east, including Waterford south of Brisbane, has left five dead and three others are still missing.

Record-breaking rains brought by Cyclone Debbie caused devastating flooding across Queensland including along the Fitzroy River.