Severe thunderstorms have struck the Far North and are headed southwest, MetService says.

The weather forecaster detected a line of severe thunderstorms near Kaitāia.

The storms are moving southwest and are expected near Herekino at 3pm then Coopers Beach in Doubtless Bay about half an hour later.

“These thunderstorms are expected to be accompanied by torrential rain.”

MetService urged people to take shelter, stay off the water, move cars away from trees, drive slowly or avoid travelling.

A thunderstorm watch remains in place for Northland.

MetService reported lightning strikes off the region’s east coast, saying they could make landfall.

Northland has been drenched in heavy rain today. Downpours are expected to last until midnight.

Meteorologist Oscar Shiviti said a slow-moving front meant a large accumulation of rainfall would bring localised downpours of between 25 and 40mm an hour.

“A lot of places are at risk of flooding.”

State Highway 1 at Te Paki, Cape Rēinga, was closed because of flooding.

NZ Transport Agency has urged motorists to delay their journey as no detour is available.

Cape Rēinga received 70mm of rain between midnight and 2pm today.

MetService meteorologist Devlin Lynden said April had been a wet month for Northland’s most northern location.

“The average rainfall was usually 60mm but this month alone it has accumulated 408mm.”

Lynden said Kaikohe was also sodden with 45mm of rain and Dargaville, 21.6mm.

Kaipara District Council’s Ash Nayyar said there was some concern around flooding in the Dargaville township and areas like Awakino Point.

In a video he posted to social media, water could be seen endangering parked cars near the township.

Nayyar told the Advocate it was not unusual during high tide for flooding to occur, but additional heavy rain was a concern.

Some businesses, such as Kawakawa Pharmacy, were concerned about flooding.

The pharmacy wrote on Facebook: “If the water level reaches the pipe, past experience tells us we don’t have long before we are flooded in.

“Please ensure you have a supply of any essential medications, and check that your kaumātua/kuia are covered.”

The Waiomio Valley is cut off to all cars except for 4x4 vehicles after recent heavy rain. Photo / Roddy Pihema.

Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board member Roddy HapatiPihema said the Waiomio Valley was cut off for all cars except four-wheel drives.

The Kawakawa catchment, where the Waiharakeke River, Otiria and Waiomio streams meet, was swollen from rain.

Pihema said most communities had resources as part of their Civil Defence response if needed.

The Kawakawa catchment where the Waiharakeke River, Otiria Stream and Waiomio Streams meet is swollen from recent downpours. Photo / Roddy Pihema

Civil Defence Northland yesterday said the forecast was “certainly not what we were wishing for”.

“With this heavy rain coming on top of the recent heavy rain, streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and road closures are also possible, and driving conditions may be hazardous.”

A slip on the recently opened Mangamuka Gorge closed State Highway 1 on Sunday. The road reopened yesterday.

Flooding on Sunday reportedly saw vehicles towed and houses flooded in Pāmapūria.

MetService earlier said April had been a wet month for Kerikeri.

The Bay of Islands town has received 490mm of rainfall in April and 790mm this year alone.

The normal rainfall amount for the area in April was about 150mm.

This month had been Kerikeri’s wettest April since records began in 1978, RNZ reported. The previous record, about 60mm lower, was set in 1999.

Brodie Stone covers crime and emergency for the Northern Advocate. She has spent most of her life in Whangārei and is passionate about delving into issues that matter to Northlanders and beyond.