By Emily Norman
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Wairarapa was battered with torrential rain during the weekend, with huge falls in the Tararua Ranges, heavy falls in coastal South Wairarapa and persistent downpours in other areas.
The downpours flooded rural land, swelled rivers and creeks, and caused storm water drains to overflow.
Paddocks were turned into swimming pools, and roads into rivers after 200mm of rain thrashed the Tararuas from Friday midnight, with peak intensities at 10-15mm per hour.
Masterton recorded 43mm rainfall from midnight on Friday but Ngawi was belted with 74.4mm up until 3pm yesterday.
Wairarapa people travelling over the Rimutaka Hill were advised to drive with caution following slips and flooding which at one time blocked the south-bound lane blocked of SH2 at two spots.
Temperatures had remained fairly high for this time of year and the rain had not been driven by hefty winds.
The rough weather had reverted to showers only which were easing throughout Wairarapa by late yesterday afternoon and MetService meteorologist Derek Holland said people should expect “much milder” weather in coming days..
He said the heavy rainfall event was “usual for this time of the year” and was “typical spring weather”.
