Wild Weather across the North Island 18th September

[JennyLeez]

A tree has fallen on an Auckland home and flooding and slips have closed roads in Wellington as wild weather buffets the country.

The usual Sunday brunch will likely be an indoor affair for many with wet weather expected to continue till later today.

Central parts of the country are the worst affected by the heavy rain and winds; with the most rain, 71.5mm, having fallen in the Eastern Bay of Plenty during 12 hours overnight.

Meanwhile weather stations in other parts of the central North Island recorded between 30 to 40mm of rain within the same time period.

MetService meteorologist Claire Flynn said a flood watch had been issued and would be in effect for parts of the central North Island until later this evening.

"We are looking at scattered rain or showers across much of the North Island, though the concentration is in the central part, with heavy rain and larger accumulations," she said. "For other parts we expect some scattered rain or showers over much of the island."

The rain and winds have caused havoc in parts of the country. Early this morning the Fire Service reported a tree had fallen on a house in West Auckland, while flooding and slips closed roads near Wellington.

The spring downpours had also caused flooding in other parts of the lower North Island overnight.

Late yesterday a slip had blocked the southbound lane of State Highway 2, on Rimutaka Hill Road, just west of Featherston. The road was also closed at Melling in Lower Hutt due to flooding.

Meanwhile low cloud at Wellington Airport forced the diversion of overnight flights from Sydney and Fiji to Auckland.
Airport spokeswoman Arpita Dutta said passengers should expect further delays to flights throughout Sunday due to the wet weather and low cloud.

Travellers should check with their airline or the airport.

MetLink trains services on the Kapiti line have been replaced by buses between Plimmerton and Waikanae due to a slip on the track 1km north of Plimmerton station.

Source: NZ Herald

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