Carnage across North Island as Storm continues 5th January 2018

[JennyLeez]

Keypoints:
- A woman has died after a tree fell on a car in Rotorua
- Kaiaua is cut off by rising floodwaters and residents in low-lying parts told to evacuate
- An evacuation centre has opened north of Thames for stranded residents and motorists
- Floodwaters swamped sections of Auckland's motorways
- Major roads across the North Island have been closed by flooding and toppled trees
- The storm is expected to make landfall near Taranaki at midday
- The country will be buffeted by winds and rain for the rest of the day

 The storm is forecast to move southeast across the centre of the country tonight.

In its latest update MetService says the heaviest rain is expected about Mt Taranaki, Tongariro National Park, the Bay of Plenty ranges and Marlborough.

Destructive gales will continue to batter the North Island and north Canterbury today and tomorrow.

Metservice warns that on top of today's coastal flooding in northern regions from king tides, western and southern areas are at risk, especially along Wellington's south coast tonight.

King tides, gales and driving rain continue to cause widespread damage across the upper North Island.

Thousands are still without power as trees and powerlines topple in the hurricane-strength winds blasting the island.

The Hauraki District Council this morning advised people in low-lying areas of Kaiaua village and on East Coast Rd to urgently evacuate to higher ground because of the king tide.

Firefighters are helping residents and civil defence crews are also on their way to help with the evacuation.

Full report - nzherald.co.nz

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11969995

Photos from nzherald reports below:



Kaiaua


Thames Coast Road


Tauranga

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