3:01pm — A band of very heavy rain has caused flooding around southeastern parts of Auckland and Waiheke Island…and the rain is still falling.

Auckland Civil Defence says the Fire Service has responded to flooded properties in Kawakawa Bay and Auckland Council stormwater are assisting with sandbags.

There is also flooding of roads around the Clevedon area and on Waiheke Island.

Fire Service responded to three people trapped in floodwaters on Clevedon-Kawakawa Bay Road – all are reported safe and well.

Townson Road has been closed at the intersection of Clevedon-Kawakawa Bay Road due to flooding, says Civil Defence.

Low lying rural land around the Wairoa River may also go underwater when the river peaks later this afternoon.

The Auckland Emergency Coordination Centre is monitoring the situation and is providing assistance to Emergency Services as required.

Meanwhile WeatherWatch.co.nz says the rain continues to fall over Waiheke Island and south east Auckland – but the intense band of rain is now slowing moving south eastwards, into the Firth of Thames and down the Miranda coastline.

The heavy rain is also covering the Hunua Ranges and north Waikato, including State Highway 2 at Maramarua.  Drivers are advised to turn their headlights on and take care in possible surface flooding and limited visibility.

Those around the Hunua Ranges and Miranda coastline should watch for rapidly rising rivers, flash flooding and slips.  In very isolated cases hail might also be produced along with isolated gusty winds – but we believe winds will be below damaging.

For the most part the rest of Auckland will remain fairly cloudy but dry.

While sunny spells are expected this afternoon another secondary, much smaller, band of showers is approaching Auckland from the Tasman Sea.  These are far more hit and miss but also bring the risk of localised torrential downpours, small hail and localised gusty winds. 

However with the showers arriving after dark the cooling air after sunset may help weaken them before making landfall. We’ll monitor this evening and update again should they instensify.

While there is the chance of a few showers around Auckland tomorrow, Sunday is looking drier and a little warmer than Saturday was – with gales not in the forecast.

– WeatherWatch.co.nz