RED ALERT: Northland and Coromandel Under Red Warning as “Torrential” Rain Batters East Coast
By Lions Roar News Weather Desk
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND (Wednesday, January 21, 2026 – 9:26 AM) — New Zealand’s upper North Island is facing a critical weather event as MetService upgrades heavy rain warnings to RED—the highest possible alert level—for Northland, the Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty, and parts of Gisborne.
A precautionary State of Emergency remains in effect for Whangārei, with authorities warning that the worst of the “torrential” downpours is expected later today and into the early hours of Thursday morning.
🚨 Whangārei & Northland: “Be Ready to Evacuate”
Northland Civil Defence Controller Jenny Calder spoke to Morning Report today, stating that while the region saw steady rain overnight, the primary concern is the vulnerable East Coast.
- The Sunday Deluge: Punaruku, which was devastated by 262mm of rain in just five hours last Sunday, has now recorded nearly 400mm for the week.
- Ready for Impact: Emergency services—including Police, Fire, and St John—are on high alert. Power crews from North Power and Top Energy are stationed at “hot spots” to respond to inevitable outages.
- Evacuation Advice: Residents are urged to have a “grab bag” ready. Several marae in the region are already operating as evacuation centers for those displaced by earlier flooding.
🌊 Coromandel: Whitianga Cut Off
The situation in the Coromandel has escalated rapidly this morning. The coastal town of Whitianga is currently isolated as flooding has blocked both main routes.
- SH25 Blocked: State Highway 25 is closed both north and south of Whitianga. North of the town, floodwaters have submerged the road between Discovery Drive and Simpson’s Beach.
- Tide Warning: Local mechanic Peter Johnson warned that with high tide expected at 10:00 AM, the flooding is likely to deepen before any receding begins.
- Closures: Local businesses and childcare centers, including Peanuts Early Learning Centre, have closed as staff are unable to travel through the rising waters.
📊 MetService: Current Warning Status
| Region | Warning Level | Duration |
| Northland | RED Warning | Until Thursday morning |
| Coromandel | RED Warning | Until Thursday morning |
| Bay of Plenty | RED Warning | Torrential downpours expected |
| Auckland | Orange Warning | Strong wind & heavy rain |
| Gisborne | Red & Orange | Regional variations |
🏛️ Political Response
Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell has cancelled his attendance at the National Party caucus retreat. Following a discussion with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Mitchell will remain in the North Island to provide flexible, on-the-ground support as the situation develops.
