Wild weather batters island
Taranaki especially hard-hit by flooding as deluge sweeps in from the Tasman
Thunderstorms and heavy rain caused flooding and closed roads in the North Island yesterday. In Taranaki, more rain fell in 18 hours than in all of last November.
In Waikato, parts of Te Awamutu were flooded after a tornado reportedly travelled down the main street.
An Air New Zealand flight from Wellington to Hamilton had to be diverted after a suspected lightning strike.
“The aircraft is being assessed by engineers in Auckland and customers were put onto another aircraft to operate Auckland to Hamilton,” the airline said. “Lightning strikes are not uncommon — aircraft are designed with this in mind and our pilots train for this scenario.”
State Highway 3 was closed by a slip near Ha¯wera, and streets in New Plymouth were closed by flooding.
The New Plymouth District Council said the severe weather had caused flooding and sewage overflows in parts of the district.
The chaotic weather was caused by a low approaching from the Tasman Sea, bringing heavy rainfall and thunderstorms across the North Island and the top of the South Island.
Further north, Auckland was hit by a series of squalls.
A heavy rain warning was in place for the Bay of Plenty, Taranaki north of Eltham, and the Kaikoura Coast and ranges until last evening.
A severe thunderstorm watch was in place for Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato, Waitomo, Taumarunui, Bay of Plenty, Rotorua, Taupo, Hawke’s Bay, Taranaki, and Taihape. Intense rain could also lead to slips.
Showers were forecast today throughout the North Island, with thunderstorms also possible in Taupo, Manawatu¯ and the Tararua District.