A red heavy rain warning has been issued for parts of Northland from this afternoon, with up to 320mm of rain forecast to lash the region.
The escalation to a red warning comes as a deep area of low pressure from the sub-tropics approaches the country. In addition to the heavy rain, MetService said this was likely to be a multi-hazard event spanning several days with heavy rain, strong winds and large waves expected.
Shortly after 10am, the forecaster issued a red heavy rain warning - the highest level alert - for Northland east of Kaikohe from Doubtless Bay to Whangārei from 4pm today into Friday.
"Expect 270 to 320 mm of rain. Peaks rates initially 15 to 25 mm/h, but increasing to 25 to 40 mm/h and possibly greater from Thursday afternoon through to early Friday morning.
Thunderstorms were also possible from Thursday afternoon.
Red warnings were reserved for the most extreme weather events, where significant impacts and disruption were expected.
This alert level signified that people "need to act now as immediate action is required to protect people, animals and property from the impact of the weather," said MetService meteorologist John Law.
"People should also be prepared to follow the advice of official authorities and emergency services."
Shortly after 7pm on Wednesday, electricity provider Top Energy was reporting power was out for hundreds of households in the upper Far North. The outages affected large swathes of areas from Ngataki to Cape Reinga.
This is the third red warning that MetService had issued this year, and it marks the 22nd red weather event since the highest alert level was introduced back in May 2019.
Severe weather was also expected across the country, with various watches and warnings in place for the remainder of Northland, Coromandel, Waikato, western Bay of Plenty, the top of the South Island and through to parts of North Otago and South Canterbury.
In addition, MetService said the combination of heavy rain, powerful onshore winds, and moderate to heavy swell means that coastal areas in eastern Northland will be one to keep a close eye on Wednesday and Thursday.
Residents warned to leave if feeling unsafe
Residents in Oakura and Whangaruru were told to leave today if they felt unsafe as an access road would be closing.
The Whangārei District Council said in a statement: "People whose homes were impacted by flooding and land slips in the January weather event, who don’t feel safe, are advised to leave today to a safe location either with family and friends or to a local marae.
"We are advising people to leave today, ideally during daylight hours."
MetService's top-level red warning issued for what Dan Corbett describes as “another spell of nasty weather”. (Source: 1News)
Pilot convoy services had been operating on Kaiikanui Rd since the weather event in January, but the council said this may not be available when the worst of the new weather event was expected.
"There is a possibility that there will be no pilot service on Kaiikanui Rd on Friday 27 March, depending on warning levels and weather impacts. We will update your community as the weather system moves through our district.
"If you must travel on Kaiikanui Rd during this weather event, take extreme care, travel during daylight hours if possible and keep your speed below 30km. If you can, take the alternative route out via Opua."
'Make sure you have a plan'
On Wednesday evening, Northland Civil Defence group controller Damien Rio notified residents that marae were being opened up to take residents who were feeling unsafe in their homes.
"If you live in a flood-prone area, or in an area recently affected by landslides, make sure you have a plan for where you’ll go if you needed to evacuate – friends or whānau are the best first option," he said.
"We’ll continue to monitor the situation closely and keep you updated. Stay safe, look out for each other."
Strong winds for Northland, Auckland and Great Barrier
Strong to gale-force winds would also be generated as the weather system moves closer to New Zealand, with gusts of 120km/h possible in the most exposed regions.
In Auckland, New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi said road users should expect the weather to impact travel across the Auckland Harbour Bridge.
The strongest gusts were expected to hit from Thursday into Friday, which "may force lane closures and additional short periods of full closure to ensure safety". NZTA said the strongest wind was expected to hit from 8am tomorrow, Thursday, March 26, through to 1am on Friday, March 27, with some gusts reaching up to 120km/h.
Drivers of high-sided vehicles and motorcyclists were advised to avoid the bridge and use the western ring route on State Highways 16 and 18.
"All drivers are reminded to drive to the conditions and pay attention to electronic message boards on the motorway, which will advise of any lane closures and speed limit reductions."
Full list of watches and warnings
Heavy Rain Warning – Red
Northland east of Kaikohe from Doubtless Bay to Whangārei– 36 hours from 4pm today to 4am Friday.
Heavy Rain Warning – Orange
Remainder of Northland not under a red warning – 36 hours from 4pm today to 4am Friday.
Great Barrier Island – 30 hours from 3am Thursday to 9am Friday.
Auckland from Whangaparāoa northwards – 30 hours from 3am Thursday to 9am Friday.
Coromandel Peninsula – 36 hours from 6am Thursday to 6pm Friday.
Bay of Plenty west of Whakatāne –42 hours from 9am Thursday to 3am Saturday.
Tasman west of Motueka – 26 hours from 10am Thursday to noon Friday.
Richmond and Bryant Ranges – 18 hours from 6pm Thursday to noon Friday.
Strong Wind Warning – Orange
Northland – 26 hours from 9pm today to 11pm Thursday.
Auckland and Great Barrier Island – 17 hours from 8am Thursday to 1am Friday.
Heavy Rain Watch
Auckland south of Whangaparaoa - 33 hours from 3am Thursday to noon Friday.
Taranaki Maunga – 27 hours from 9am Thursday to noon Friday.
Areas of the Tasman District south of Nelson City and north of Saint Arnaud not under a warning – 24 hours from noon Thursday to noon Friday.
The inland ranges of Marlborough west of the Seaward Kaikoura Range and south of Picton – 21 hours from 6pm Thursday to 3pm Friday.
Ranges of the Westland District – 36 hours from 3pm Thursday to 3am Saturday.
North Otago, also Canterbury south of Timaru and east of Twizel – 12 hours from 6pm Thursday to 6am Friday.
Strong Wind Watch
Banks Peninsula – 24 hours from 7pm Thursday to 7pm Friday.
Coromandel Peninsula and Waikato – 23 hours from 9am Thursday to 8am Friday.
Taupō, Taumarunui, Taihape, Whanganui, South Taranaki – 24 hours from noon Thursday to noon Friday.
The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including a coroner rules what likely happened to a missing pair, a MAFS expert dies, and legal action’s launched over football World Cup ticket prices. (Source: 1News)
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