Heavy rain in Kuaotunu has flooded streets, and damaged homes

A resident in Kuaotunu has described a deluge of rain which flooded streets, damaged homes, and left a car floating in its owners' backyard. There was 150 millimetres of rain in the 24 hours to yesterday afternoon and even more in the hills. Civil Defence is expecting all floodwater to have drained by now, and the extent of the damage will be able to be seen. They expect the remaining closed parts of State Highway 25 to re-open this morning. Kuaotunu resident Nicki Wilson says a number of houses will be damaged, after the heavy rain quickly turned their street into a river. She runs the accomodation Blackjack Cabin, and told our reporter Jordan Bond that locals have never seen anything like it.