Reports are filtering in of huge tides, waves across roads and entire beaches wiped out after a 'weather bomb' hit off the coast of New Zealand.
A large low-pressure system brought huge waves and strong winds to the east coast of the North Island, leading to flooding and road closures.
Earlier on Sunday, Civil Defence Waikato issued a warning to everyone in coastal communities along the eastern seaboard of the Coromandel.
"This is a significant storm event that will last for most of the week that people need to take heed of and while spectacular to watch, is also dangerous," it said on Facebook.
Thames-Coromandel District Council's Emergency Management and Waikato Regional Council's Flood Room have been activated and will monitor the situation over the next few days.
"We are in for a hammering over the next few days so personal safety is most important," says local Civil Defence Controller Garry Towler.
"Huge seas, strong winds, high and king tides over the next few days will likely cause inundation, storm surge, erosion of beaches and damage to the foreshore."
The combination of storm and high tide on Sunday afternoon saw water rush onto roads in the Coromandel region.
"We have had reports from around the eastern seaboard of huge tides, waves across roads and entire beaches wiped out," Towler says.
"This is day one of a three or four-day storm so don't underestimate the damage it may do, especially later into next week when the king tides arrive."
Images from the Coromandel town of Whitianga showed State Highway 25, which runs parallel to the sea, covered in water.
"Brophy's Beach was the most affected and SH25 at Brophy's is currently closed, possibly until 6pm tonight," the Thames-Coromandel District Council said on Facebook.
"With little daylight available now to assess the beaches and roads before the next high tide at 4am on Monday morning, people are asked to stay away and keep safe until staff and contractors can resume and start cleaning up at first light."
Further south, Fire and Emergency NZ said the Whiritoa brigade responded to one request for assistance with sandbagging today.
The council urges the public to keep up to date with its Facebook updates, MetService and Waka Kotahi/NZTA website.
