A person was seriously injured after a tree was struck by lightning in Dannevirke yesterday afternoon.
Emergency services were called around 3.20pm to the incident, believed to be in Stanley Street.
It is unclear whether the injured person was struck by lightning, by the tree, or both.
St John Ambulance transported the person to Palmerston North Hospital.
The incident came after hail, thunder and lightning affected areas from Tararua District through to Hastings yesterday afternoon.
The Metservice had issued a Thunderstorm Watch earlier in the day, which was lifted just after 5pm.
Surface flooding affected many local roads, with the Central Hawke’s Bay District Council and Police advising drivers to take care on the roads.
The Dannevirke Volunteer Fire Brigade had four callouts in the space of 15 minutes yesterday afternoon.
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A Heavy Rain Watch is in place for Hawke’s Bay.
The Metservice says in the 24 hours from nine o’clock tonight, rainfall amounts may exceed warning criteria, especially about the ranges.
Heavy rain is also expected into Saturday.
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Taniwha Daffodils will finish its 2022 season early.
The Mabin family, which own Taniwha, said yesterday further heavy rain predicted later this week will make the already saturated ground impossible for safe parking this weekend.
Taniwha Daffodils will close for the season at 5pm today.
The original planned closing date was this weekend.
The Mabin family have apologised for causing any disappointment and thanked those who have already visited for their continued support.
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The final three races in the Central Hawke’s Bay Primary Schools Interschool Cross Country will go ahead today.
Three races were held last week, however a change in the weather saw the event called off.
Flemington School Principal Phil Bourke says it will be a shortened event today, starting at 10am.
The 10-11 Boys and the Girls and Boys 12 years and over races will be held at Lake Station today.
Phil Bourke says they may look at running the 12+ boys and girls races together to reduce waiting around time.
He advises everyone to come prepared for the weather.
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First games begin today for the F grade Ladies Team from the Waipukurau Lawn Tennis & Squash Club at the Squash New Zealand Superchamps National Tournament in Ashburton.
The team travelled south earlier this week in preparation for the tournament which runs until Saturday.
The Waipukurau team qualified at the district elimination finals in June, when they beat Surf City from Gisborne.
