Severe Weather Causes Power Outages, Road Closures, and Thunderstorm Warnings Across New Zealand

Heavy rainfall, strong winds, and thunderstorms have wreaked havoc across New Zealand, leading to widespread power outages, road closures, and localized flooding. The MetService has lifted several weather alerts as the storm system moves eastward, but the impact of the past two days of intense weather continues to be felt in multiple regions.

Heavy Rainfall and Flooding

Parts of the western Tasman District recorded some of the heaviest rainfall on Tuesday, with certain weather stations measuring up to 270 millimeters of rain over a 36-hour period. The rain band is still lingering over the Coromandel Peninsula, with areas such as Whangamatā receiving 170mm of rain. Heather Keats, MetService's head of weather news, noted that while the rain is beginning to clear, the Bay of Plenty region is still being affected, and the Coromandel Peninsula has yet to fully recover.

Power Outages and Infrastructure Damage

The electrical grid has been significantly impacted, with hundreds of power outages reported in the eastern Bay of Plenty. At its peak, 883 properties were without power, though the number has now dropped to 212. Powerco, the provider for western Bay of Plenty, is also reporting outages. Meanwhile, local authorities are working to restore services and ensure public safety.

Disruption on the Roads

Motorists have been warned to exercise caution on several key highways, with some sections closed due to flooding, slips, and downed trees. A milk truck rolled on Tuesday night, causing a section of State Highway 2 near Matatā to close temporarily, with the driver suffering moderate injuries. Other closures include State Highway 30 at Lake Rotoiti and State Highway 33 at Okere Falls. The New Zealand Transport Agency has urged drivers to slow down and be mindful of hazardous conditions, especially on the Waikato Expressway, where potholes and crashes have caused significant delays.

Flood Warnings and Dam Spillage

Due to the heavy rainfall, the Matahina Dam has had to spill water, leading to a flood warning for land alongside the Rangitāiki River. The Bay of Plenty Regional Council has advised residents in low-lying areas near the river to move livestock to higher ground to avoid potential flooding. However, areas protected by stopbanks, such as Edgecumbe and the Rangitāiki Plains, are not at risk.

Water Supply and Savings

Watercare, Auckland's water provider, has reported that its dams are overflowing after months of heavy rain, reaching 100% capacity for the first time since 2023. While this poses no immediate risk to residents, it allows for more efficient water management and could save the company between $500,000 and $1 million, although water rates for Aucklanders are unlikely to decrease.

Looking Ahead

As the storm system moves east, the MetService expects the weather to clear by midday. However, the lingering effects of the storm will continue to impact the Bay of Plenty and Coromandel areas. Civil defence and local authorities are working closely to manage the situation and ensure the safety of communities affected by this extreme weather event.