High winds are causing disruptions in Auckland City, the Fire Service are dealing with reports of flooding from all over the city and power has been cut to hundreds this afternoon, as a severe thunderstorm hits the region.
Hobson St in Auckland was closed this afternoon at about 12pm after high winds lifted a section of roof.
A police spokesperson said the fire service were securing the roof and the street was cordoned off by police for public safety.
Vector has reported power outages in parts of Browns Bay, Beachlands, Clevedon, Maraetai, Rotoroa Island, Whitford, Warkworth and on Waiheke Island. Power is expected to be restored from 2pm.
Surface flooding was affecting traffic on major arterial roads including Fanshawe St and Dominion Rd.
The Fire Service had received 50 calls about flooding since 12pm, with most of the damage centred around west and north Auckland.
A northern communications spokesman said most of the calls were about water getting into houses.
"It's super busy at the moment. We're just getting more and more calls."
Broadcaster Bill Ralston tweeted: "Franklin Rd is now Franklin Falls. Whitewater rapids down the street past our place that are suitable of ambitious kayakers."
MetService has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Auckland, Manukau, Waitakere, and North Shore cities, and Franklin and Rodney, as a slow moving front passes over the north of the country.
The thunderstorms are moving towards the southsoutheast, and will move over Auckland from 1pm.
As the storm approaches, the Civil Defence advises people to take shelter away from windows, avoid sheltering under trees, move cars under cover, secure loose objects around the property, clear drains and gutters, drive with caution, beware of fallen trees and powerlines and avoid streams and drains.
Some of the showers on the front may turn thundery at times with localised rainfall rates of 25-40mm per hour possible over parts of Auckland this afternoon and further south early this evening.
A heavy rain warning is in place for the Coromandel Peninsula, with about 60mm possible in the nine hours from 8am.
The level of rain could cause rivers and streams to rise quickly, create slips and can make driving conditions hazardous.
Rain is also forecast for Auckland until early this evening, the Bay of Plenty and Rotorua throughout the day, Gisborne from this afternoon through to tomorrow morning and Hawke's Bay overnight and tomorrow.
Strong northeasterlies are also expected to precede the passing front, with possible gales for Auckland, Waikato and Waitomo today.
Heavy rain in Northland is easing this morning.
Meanwhile, the AA is reporting icy road conditions on State Highway 6 and 8 around Otago region and the Queenstown Lakes district.
NZTA is also advising caution on Milford Road and State High 1 from Balclutha to Dunedin due to ice.
- Paul Harper and Hayden Donnell
