Almost 18,000 lightning strikes were recorded across the North Island in 19 hours following severe thunderstorms, with flooding and slips closing parts of State Highway 2 between Ōpōtiki in Gisborne.
MetService said the strikes were recorded between Northland and Manawatū, with Taranaki and Waikato recording the highest number.
Yesterday, MetService said thunderstorms and heavy rain would lash parts of the country overnight into Friday, a far cry from the sweltering temperatures and clear skies of last weekend.
The forecaster issued severe thunderstorm warnings this morning, all which have since been lifted.
Only one warning remained in effect on Friday afternoon, a heavy rain watch for Nelson and Tasman north of Hope Saddle until 7am Saturday.
Roads closed due to flooding, slips
At around the same the storm was hitting the area, State Highway 2 closed between Ōpōtiki and Matawai in the Gisborne district due to flooding and slips.
New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi said this closure has been extended, and flooding has also closed State Highway 2 between Whatatutu just north of Te Karaka and Waioweka Gorge.
“The flooding has caused slips and debris and crews are clearing the road where they can safely do so,” the agency said.
Drivers were advised to avoid the stretch of SH2 between Ōpōtiki and Gisborne, drive to the conditions, and be alert to the possibility of more flooding, debris and short notice closures.
Police said it was advised of reports of a driver and passengers stuck in their vehicle on Waioeka Gorge Road (SH2) with a nearby river in flood and the water level rising around the vehicle.
“Police are currently trying to establish the exact whereabouts of the vehicle,” a police spokesperson said.
Yesterday, footage supplied to 1News yesterday showed a small tornado spinning with dark clouds overhead in farmland at Maihihi.
In Hamilton, a resident said a lightning strike “took out a very tall pine tree on Mahoe Street”.
“Set off car alarms, car horns, dogs and cats. Absolutely crazy,” they said.