Wellington under severe thunderstorm warning

A MetService severe thunderstorm warning for Wellington has been lifted as residents report torrential rain engulfing parked cars and causing flooding.Fire and Emergency said it had no weather-related callouts from Saturday morning's downpours.Wellington woman Rebekah Ward said she watched floodwaters rise around parked cars during the monsoon-like rain.The health coach and tour guide watched floodwaters surge down Wellington's Tinakori Road while having breakfast in Thorndon.The water rose to the bottom of parked cars and even knocked over a scooter, prompting fears her own vehicle could be swept away, she said.The timing of the downpour was an "ironic" reminder of the monsoon she would soon experience on a trip to India, Ward said.MetService issued the severe thunderstorm warning at 9.20am Saturday, valid until just before 11am.It said its weather radar had detected severe thunderstorms moving east-northeast.It expected the thunderstorms to be accompanied by torrential rain.