Power is out, roads are closed and people are being asked not to flush their toilets in the Coromandel as heavy rain lashes the region.

A severe weather warning is in place for the Coromandel Peninsula, Bay Of Plenty, Rotorua, Gisborne, Auckland, Great Barrier Island, Northland and Waikato as sub-tropical fuelled heavy rain moves down the country.

A low over the Tasman Sea extends slow moving fronts over northern New Zealand, which have brought heavy rain to the northeast of the North Island. Rain should continue today and tomorrow.

The heaviest falls are likely to be in Northland, Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty and Gisborne.

A further 60 to 90mm of rain could accumulate in a relatively brief period today, with localised thundery downpours.

'The initial burst of rain should ease this afternoon, but further rain is expected during Thursday and Friday, particularly in Northland and the Coromandel Peninsula, where a further 80 to 180mm could accumulate.”

A flooded street in Pauanui.

Flooding in Tauranga. Photo: Murray Guy.

The Azamara Journey was due in Tauranga today, but has been turned away due to the bad weather. The cruise ship is now bound for Wellington. Photo: Murray Guy.

Flooding has closed SH25 leading into Thames. Photos: Thames Coromandel District Facebook Page.

Flooding in Thames. Supplied photos.

Flooding in Clevedon. Photos: Howick Pakuranga Times.