Warnings and watches issued overnight as wild weather hits

The latest updates from Friday as heavy rain and thunderstorms hit an already-sodden North Island.

As of Friday 10pm, MetService has issued a swathe of overnight watches and warnings as more heavy rain moves across the North Island.

Orange heavy rain warnings are in place across Coromandel, Gisborne, and Hawke's Bay.

Meanwhile, watches are in place for Auckland, Waikato north of Hamilton, Bay of Plenty about and west of Te Puke, and Wairarapa.

Get all the details of the latest warnings and watches here

9.50pm - That concludes 1News' live updates for today.

9.45pm - A shelter has been opened in Wellsford for people unable to get home further north on State Highway 1. Auckland Emergency Management says that supplies are available for people who need a place to sleep tonight.

9.30pm - Video from West Auckland late this afternoon shows the area again struggling with rising floodwaters.

The footage is from Swanson which neighbours Henderson. Henderson was particularly hard-hit in the late January floods.

9.20pm - A 1News update from Northland today.

There is also footage of flooded roads in Auckland's northwest.

8.35pm - MetService has issued a new red severe thunderstorm warning for Kaipara, Whangārei, and Rodney.

"These thunderstorms are expected to be accompanied by torrential rain," it said.

"Torrential rain can cause surface and/or flash flooding about streams, gullies and urban areas, and make driving conditions extremely hazardous."

8:25pm - Auckland Transport has given an update regarding services that were disrupted due to the weather.

A post on their Twitter said: "Western Line services are returning to the scheduled timetable. Please expect some delays and cancellations. Check Train Line Status before you travel."

Another post added: "Most bus routes are now open and running to schedule. Please expect minor delays and cancellations as they are recovering from weather disruptions."

8:05pm - Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown has urged people who are in areas affected by the weather to remain vigilant and keep an eye on the forecast.

He said: “We want to assure Aucklanders that Auckland Emergency Management is fully operational, and emergency responders are on standby to assist people across the region.

“Earlier this evening, two emergency mobile alerts were issued to advise our most vulnerable communities of the heightened risk of slips and flooding from thunderstorms, and I have been in contact with the councillors in those wards.”

MetService advised earlier this evening the intensity of the Auckland thunderstorms has lessened but heavy rain is likely on-and-off across most of the region for a few more hours.

“We’re not out of the woods yet, so remain vigilant,” he said. “Remember that even if the rain dies down, there could be more to come and surface flooding will take some time to subside.

“Experiencing an emergency can be overwhelming, especially with repeated severe weather events. It’s normal for you and your whānau to feel upset and physically drained, so we encourage you to stay home if possible and stay safe throughout the night.

“If you’re worried about your safety, please consider staying with friends or family, or head to the nearest Civil Defence Centre.”

7.55pm - An update to Twitter from WeatherWatch.co.nz says downpours in Auckland's city remain more broken up.

As thunderstorms continue in north of the city, the forecaster says heavy rain continues from north west Auckland to Mangawhai.

7.05pm - More impressive rain totals coming in.

6.50pm - New severe thunderstorm warnings keep on coming.

6.45pm - Fire and Emergency NZ managed to save people who were trapped in their cars in Dairy Flat, Auckland floodwaters.

"After a crew made it to the scene, they were able to source a boat to carry out rescues. All persons are now accounted for and all cars have been checked."

6.30pm - Latest Auckland transport update:

6.20pm -

6.15pm - Footage of flooded roads from Auckland's northwest.

6.10pm - More on the events at Auckland Airport today where a plane was struck by lightning and the domestic terminal evacuated.

Plane struck by lightning amid wild weather at Auckland Airport

5.50pm -

5.45pm - Auckland's Te Matatini kapa haka festival has been put on pause due to the weather.

5.40pm - Fire and Emergency NZ says it was alerted to a report of multiple cars trapped in floodwater in Dairy Flat, Auckland.

"Our first crew made it to the scene a short time ago."

5.30pm - An emergency alert has been sent out to residents of Rodney, Helensville, Upper Harbour, Te Atatu, Henderson Valley Bethells Beach, Piha, Karekare and Muriwai.

The alert warns of landslides and flash flooding brought on by "high intensity localised downpours".

It also warns people need to be ready to evacuate if necessary.

As a precaution, residents should:

• Avoid any unnecessary travel and shelter in place.

• Gather essential items to take with you if you are required to evacuate. Prepare to bring your pets.

• Act immediately if you see rising water; floods and landslips can happen quickly.

• If you see rising water or sense moving earth, do not wait for official warnings. Head for safer ground and stay away from floodwater and landslips.

• If your life is in danger, call 111 immediately.

• We are urging people to keep an eye on the rain radar at www.metservice.com

5.25pm -

5.14pm - 1News has received a report that Auckland Airport's domestic terminal was briefly evacuated this evening, with an image showing staff and travellers gathered in a car park.

The terminal was reportedly evacuated due to a fire alarm, but everyone has now been let back in according to a traveller on the scene.

5.10pm - More transport issues as the weather worsens.

Police update on Mangawhai:

Police are advising motorists the intersection of State Highway 1 and Mangawhai Road is closed due to the weather conditions.

Motorists are able to continue north on State Highway 1 but cannot access Mangawhai Road.

As previously advised, a number of roads have been affected by slips and flooding in Mangawhai, Mahurangi East, South Head, and Topuni

5pm -

4.50pm - People on community Facebook pages have been reporting flooding in the Coatesville, Riverhead area north west of Auckland.

4.45pm -

4.45pm - MetService reports 57mm of rain fell at Zanders, west of Orewa, Auckland, between 2 and 4pm today.

Auckland Council also has 60mm worth of rain falling in Paremoremo in just the last hour.

4.40pm - A deputy principal is helping escort students to safety on a bus in Kaiwaka as they attempt to navigate the bad weather.

"The bus will take the students to Kaiwaka Primary School," a post on Otamatea High School's Facebook page reads.

"Mr Cooling, our Deputy Principal, is on the bus with the students and will supervise the arrangements for students to get home. If students are unable to walk home they will will need to be collected from the Kaiwaka Primary School."

4.35pm - Auckland Emergency Management has put out a flash flooding advisory:

Auckland Emergency Management is urging Aucklanders to be vigilant and to have a plan in place as heavy downpours start to cross the region.

“An update from MetService confirms that the weather is sadly behaving as expected and there is currently a severe thunderstorm warning in place.

“A line of thunderstorms is bringing intense downpours and we are starting to see some surface flooding.

“Please continue to keep an eye out on MetService’s rain radar and if you feel unsafe, make a plan to leave. Do not wait for official instruction.

“If your home is in an area prone to floods or landslips, or you feel at all unsafe, consider staying with friends or whanau or alternatively, you can go to one of our Civil Defence Centres. You can find out where these are on the Auckland Emergency Management website – aem.org.nz.

“If your life or property is in immediate danger, call 111.

“To report flooding, call the council on 0800 22 22 00.”

4.20pm - A live Auckland weather cam shows how eerily dark it has become over the City of Sails.

4.15pm - 1News meteorologist Dan Corbett said it's going to be "very wet night" for Auckland and many others in the North Island.

He explained the storms are lining up "like a train" and "back building" with one system replacing another.

4.05pm - MetService's latest rain radar image shows large swathes of rain making its way across the North Island as the Friday rush hour approaches.

4pm - The latest roading update from Auckland police:

Police are advising motorists to be cautious and consider their travel plans following reports of multiple slips and flooding in Waitematā North this afternoon.

Due to heavy rain, a number of roads have been affected by slips and flooding in Mangawhai, Mahurangi East, South Head, and Topuni.

Police are urging motorists to avoid non-essential travel if possible, and if you do have to travel, please slow down and be aware of potentially impacted roads.

We also ask commuters across Tāmaki Makaurau to be aware of sudden weather changes, which may affect roading networks, and people should keep up to date with the latest weather forecast for their area.

3:50pm - Severe thunderstorms potentially on the way in Auckland.

3.30pm - An image showing a flooded road in Mangawhai north of Auckland, where fire crews have been called out to help with flooding.

3:15pm -

3pm - Watch MetService's latest severe weather update.

MetService has placed numerous warnings for heavy rain and severe thunderstorms across the North Island, with most in place until Saturday morning.

Orange-level heavy rain warnings are in place for Coromandel, Gisborne and Hawke's Bay until Saturday morning, with each region expecting to receive at least 60mm of rain over today and tomorrow.

For Hawke's Bay, which is currently in recovery mode after Cyclone Gabrielle, the heaviest rain will be during Saturday morning with 100-150mm of rain expected tonight and overnight, as well as possible thunderstorms.

Yellow-level heavy rain and thunderstorm watches have also been put in place for regions including Auckland, Great Barrier Island and Bay of Plenty.

Heavy rain is also being watched in Waikato, Taihape, Wairarapa and Eastern Marlborough.