Weather live updates: Storm brings fresh flooding, strong winds as it heads north

Commuters in the North Island are being warned to brace for heavy rain, strong winds and possible flooding this morning as a storm that caused havoc in the South Island heads north.STORY CONTINUES AFTER BLOGSTORY CONTINUESFlooding and slips closed several southern state highways on Sunday, with firefighters called early this morning to help people who had driven into floodwaters near Murchison.It follows a dramatic Sunday evening rescue after a woman and her dog became stuck in chest-high floodwaters in a South Island gorge.Strong winds have also hit the Far North overnight, with one person in Ahipara rescued by firefighters after strong winds flipped their cabin, leaving the sliding door facing skyward.MetService meteorologist Samkelo Magwala said a “complex system” was moving up the country, bringing widespread rain and heavy falls to parts of the North Island.A heavy rain watch is in place for southern and eastern Wellington and Wairarapa until 2pm, with MetService warning rainfall amounts could approach warning criteria.Magwala said the worst of the system was expected overnight and into the early hours of this morning, with heavy falls, strong gusts and possible flooding as commuters began heading to work.Aucklanders were also set to wake to rain this morning, although the heaviest falls weren’t expected until around 9am or 10am.An orange heavy rain warning is in place for the Tararua Range until 3pm, with Magwala saying the ranges could be very difficult to navigate.Heavy rain watches are also in place for Taranaki, the Ruahine Range, and Whanganui and Manawatū north of Feilding.Road snowfall warnings are in force for the Crown Range Rd, and the Lindis, Porters, Arthur’s and Lewis passes.A strong wind watch covers Nelson City to D’Urville Island to 11am, with southeasterlies potentially approaching severe gale in exposed places.