Flooding could result in road closures on Coromandel Peninsula

Waikato Regional Council is warning holidaymakers there is the potential for roads to become flooded on the Coromandel Peninsula as a result of heavy rain predicted to fall later today.

The MetService has issued a heavy rain warning for the Coromandel Peninsula from 2pm today until 6am tomorrow.

Regional hazards team leader, Rick Liefting, said the council had been closely monitoring the weather forecasts, tide times and river levels.

“High tides are expected this evening between 9pm and 9.30pm. These tides, combined with the heavy rain, means there is the potential for flooding in some places.

“This could result in road closures in places like the Criterion Bridge on SH26 at Paeroa, the Karangahake Gorge, the entrance to Thames at Rhodes Park and SH25 at Hikuai. If this happens, then it's likely to occur a few hours either side of high tide, so potentially between 7.30pm and 11.30pm today.

“The predicted heavy rainfall could also result in slips, so we’d encourage people to be off the roads as early as possible this evening, or to delay their travel until tomorrow. As always, motorists should check the NZ Transport Agency for road closures and conditions.

Mr Liefting added: “Local communities are already doing a great job of letting us know what's happening with rivers in their areas, and we encourage them to continue doing so.

“The good news is that, beyond Christmas Day, the weather is looking much better through to next week.”

People can keep up-to-date with the latest information by visiting waikatoregion.govt.nz/flood-room.

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