Live: Rainmaker hits- Sinkhole opens up in West Auckland; MetService updates severe weather warnings; ECEs allowed to reopen

Author: NZ Herald ,
Publish Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2023, 7:09am

A potentially highly damaging “rainmaker” has moved into northern New Zealand, forcing Northland into a state of emergency as authorities brace for an onslaught of more heavy rain and gale-force winds. The “atmospheric river” is already bringing heavy falls and strong winds to areas of the province - and red warnings have now extended to Tauranga and Rotorua.

Most of Auckland, south of Orewa, has entered MetService’s severe weather warning period from 8pm, with an orange heavy rain warning of up to 80mm expected overnight and a yellow watch for strong winds. While the amounts aren’t as high as elsewhere, they are falling on already saturated ground and meteorologists are expecting pockets of downpours that could cause further flooding and slips.

The early impacts are already being felt. A sinkhole has opened up in Swanson, taking out power lines. Fire and Emergency NZ were initially called to Scenic Drive about 7.30pm after reports of trees falling on the lines. However, upon arrival, they discovered a sinkhole opening up, causing landslides that were taking the lines with them.

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Power is also out for some residents in nearby Titirangi after a tree has come down, reportedly hitting a shed and several power lines with a loud bang. Vector says an investigation is underway and power should be restored by 11pm.

Northland declared a seven-day state of emergency at 1pm today - the third region to do so since Friday evening’s deadly storm which has claimed four lives. More than 1000 Far North homes lost power this afternoon, but it was restored for most by 7:30pm. Northland and Auckland down to Orewa remain under a red warning until tomorrow morning.

Coromandel is also in the firing line - a red warning comes into effect at 10pm - and MetService has extended that to several other areas across the North Island, including Tauranga and Rotorua from tomorrow.

State Highway 2 in the Karangahake Gorge between Waihī and Paeroa has already been closed by a large slip this afternoon. Police say motorists should avoid the area.

Meanwhile Auckland mayor Wayne Brown has urged residents to “stay home” wherever possible. So far, more than 100 homes have been red-stickered and 375 have been yellow-stickered.

Schools have been closed today but the Ministry of Health this afternoon revised its advice for early childhood centres, saying any that can safely open, may unlock their doors for families from tomorrow.

An emergency alert was sent to Aucklanders’ mobile phones at 3.30pm. At exactly the same time, new Prime Minister Chris Hipkins announced, from Wellington, that Cabinet had agreed to another $1 million for Auckland’s flood relief fund.

Latest warnings

Metservice updated its severe weather warnings at 9:15pm. It says “slightly less rain” is expected for Northland and Auckland.

But red warnings remain south of Whangaroa and north of Orewa, for the Coromandel Peninsula and Bay of Plenty west of Kawerau:

In Northland south of Whangaroa Harbour: ”Expect a further 50 to 70 mm of rain in the north and east on top of what has already fallen, with lesser amounts in the west. However, localised areas may receive up to 100 mm. Peak rates of 10 to 20 mm/h, mainly in the north and east, but localised areas may see to 20 to 35 mm/h, or possibly more. Thunderstorms are also possible, and a Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in force.”
In Auckland north of Orewa: ”Expect 60 to 90 mm of rain in the east, with lesser amounts in the west. However, localised areas may receive up to 120 mm. Peak rates of 10 to 20 mm/h, but localised areas may see 20 to 35 mm/h, or possibly more. Thunderstorms are also possible.”
On the Coromandel Peninsula: ”Expect 100 to 150 mm of rain about the ranges, with lesser amounts about the coast. Peak rates of 15 to 25 mm/h, especially about the ranges. Thunderstorms are also possible.”
In Auckland, south of Orewa: ”Expect 100 to 150 mm of rain about the ranges, with lesser amounts about the coast. Peak rates of 15 to 25 mm/h, especially about the ranges. Thunderstorms are also possible.”

Find the latest MetService weather warnings here.

Northland

More than 1000 Far North homes lost power this afternoon, with most of the affected households north of Kaitaia. Power was restored for most by 7:30pm but work was ongoing to reconnect 113 Waimā homes.

Northland Civil Defence controller Graeme MacDonald said with the newly-forecast heavy rain coming on top of the constant heavy rain the region had already had, streams and rivers may rise rapidly and become dangerous.

“Surface flooding, slips and flood water are likely to close roads and disrupt travel. Flooding of low-lying areas is also possible,” McDonald said.

MacDonald added for the 24 hours from 4am today to 4am Wednesday, MetService is now forecasting between 100 to 140mm of rain, especially in the north and east of the region.

However, he warns localised areas may receive as much as 140 to 220mm over that same period.

Volunteers make up sandbags from the sandpit at Kumeu Playcentre, west Auckland, in anticipation of flooding as more heavy rain looms. Photo / Supplied

“Peak rates of 10 to 20mm/h are expected, but again, localised areas could see 25 to 40mm/h from thunderstorms.”

Forecasters said the rain is expected to start in the north, with potential impacts being seen across the region by this afternoon.

“With this new warning, the key message to Northlanders is to please stay prepared, have a plan in case you need to evacuate, keep up to date with the latest information and weather conditions, and most importantly avoid any non-essential travel tomorrow and potentially Wednesday morning - if you must drive, please drive to the conditions and keep an eye out for hazards,” MacDonald said.

Waitomo

Storm-ravaged Waitomo District Council is urging residents to have a grab bag and emergency supplies ready in case they need to evacuate in the middle of the night. The council says a heavy rain watch is in force for the early hours of tomorrow morning.

In a Facebook post, the council said given the large amount of rainfall and flooding that the district had experienced over the past few days, it was urging residents to continue to take care and stay aware of the conditions in their area.

”Further rainfall could quickly exacerbate existing slips, river levels and produce further flooding quite quickly.

”The best thing you can do to protect yourself and your whānau is get ready. Make and practise your emergency plan, make a grab bag and have emergency supplies in case you need.”

Getting around Auckland

Due to the widespread flooding, slips and extensive damage in Auckland, some businesses asked office staff to work from home today, while others have closed their doors until further notice.

The Ministry of Education had directed all Auckland schools to close for physical on-site attendance until Friday, opening after Waitangi weekend. However it revised its advice this evening saying early childhood centres could now reopen tomorrow if they wished.

Auckland Council also closed all non-essential community facilities, services and destination sites at 3pm today. That includes pools and leisure centres, libraries, community venues, the Auckland Botanic Gardens, the Auckland Art Gallery and cemetery offices.

“It’s been great to see today that Tāmaki Makarau took the advice to stay home,” Auckland Transport’s Sarah Bryant said this afternoon. “With more people staying at home it eases pressure on our transport network.”

Bryant said since Friday, AT had closed 82 roads, 35 of which remain closed. 47 had been reopened, she said.

There had been 20 slips on the rail network, she said.

Schools and courts closed

Schools have been closed today after the Ministry of Education’s secretary for education Iona Holsted said the National Emergency Management Agency (Nema) asked them to take action to help minimise traffic movement on the roads while vital infrastructure is urgently repaired.

“With the possibility of further weather damage leading to more disruption, the Secretary for Education has directed that schools, kura, early learning services and Tertiary Organisations in the Auckland region (Wellsford to Pukekohe) to close for physical onsite attendance until Friday, opening after Waitangi weekend,” Holsted said yesterday.

“Schools and kura can open remotely for distance learning. As few staff as needed can be on-site to prepare for distance learning, and to oversee hostels if required.”

However Holsted revised the rules for early childhood centres this evening, which can now reopen for families in their community on Wednesday if safe to do so.

Auckland’s extreme rain event also damaged the Auckland District Court, and caused minor damage to some other court buildings. District Courts around the city will hear priority proceedings this week, while the Auckland District Court will be closed for at least the rest of this week while flood damage is repaired.

SH25A between Kopu and Hikuai.

Roads around the North Island

Some 45 Auckland roads are closed or restricted and an entire section of State Highway 25A on the Coromandel Peninsula has been washed away during the intense weather.

Roading contractors continued yesterday clearing slips and debris to minimise travel disruption.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency regional manager of maintenance and operations Jacqui Hori-Hoult said contractors have worked hard to clear some slips and debris on SH1 at the Brynderwyns, but because there’s a very real risk of further slipping at any time, they made the decision to keep the stretch closed for now.

One forecaster warns the new rounds of rainfall - caused by the same stubborn subtropical low that brought Friday’s flooding - could bring 100mm to 200mm to parts of Northland, Auckland and the Coromandel in coming days.

“The very warm and humid air mass covering Aotearoa brings ripe conditions for persistent, heavy rain plus the risk of thunderstorms which can further intensify the rainfall,” MetService meteorologist Lewis Ferris said.

‘Here it comes’

The MetService this morning released satellite imagery showing the deepening low moving towards New Zealand - “here it comes”, the agency said. “Deep, moisture-laden clouds with cold tops mean lots of rain. A deepening low just northwest of the country sinks south overnight, bringing the area of intense rainfall to the far north.”

Auckland has experienced record rainfall with widespread flooding creating hazards for people and properties since Friday.

So far this year the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research [Niwa] said Auckland has already recorded 38 per cent of its usual annual rainfall - and 769 per cent of its average January rainfall.

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown declared a state of emergency for the region on Friday night, which came into force immediately and will last seven days.

“Stay home if you can,” Brown said. “The ground is so saturated, that if anything [the coming rain] could be worse than Friday.”

Emergency response at the ready

Mayor Brown has faced intense scrutiny over his handling of the Auckland floods and revealed a full independent review will be conducted into the council, Government and Civil Defence response to the weather crisis.

The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) is also on standby at two bases in the Auckland region to assist if required.

There are also military liaison officers at Auckland Emergency Centre, Warkworth Civil Defence Centre, and in Northland.

“There are a couple of Unimog trucks with supplies at RNZAF Base Auckland available if needed to reach flood-affected areas. Other supplies are at RNZAF Base Auckland if these are needed,” an NZDF spokesperson said.

As at 12pm 102 Auckland homes have been deemed uninhabitable and red-stickered, while 375 are yellow-stickered.

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown said he is "certainly not resigning" after facing intense scrutiny regarding his response to the Auckland floods. Photo / Dean Purcell