A Tropical Low is set to hammer Tauranga and the wider Bay of Plenty with heavy rain and gusty winds. With a Red Heavy Rain warning issued for the region, many households will face a serious clean-up once conditions ease. A leaf blower is the quickest, safest way to clear waterlogged leaves, restore access, and reduce slip hazards around decks, steps, and driveways.
STIHL Shop Mount Maunganui recommend prioritising a leaf blower for immediate post-storm work. Two days of tropical rain can choke gutters and drains; using a leaf blower to open these exits first helps prevent water backing into garages and low-lying rooms.
Waterlogged leaves stick to surfaces. A high-volume leaf blower lifts and moves them without heavy scraping, reduces slip risk on timber and tile, and protects saturated lawns by avoiding wheelbarrow compaction.
Choose airflow (m³/h or CFM) over headline speed; wet debris needs mass air movement. Fit a flat nozzle for paths and a round nozzle for lawns. Battery models give instant start and safer operation around damp areas, while petrol and backpack options suit large properties or long runs—whichever leaf blower you choose, ergonomics like cruise control and a harness reduce fatigue.
Avoid corded tools near standing water. Wear gloves, eye and hearing protection, and non-slip footwear. Keep the leaf blower nozzle below hip height, stay well clear of downed power lines, and be considerate with early/late noise.
• Open the exits: Use a leaf blower to clear sump grates, channel drains and kerb inlets, working upstream to downstream.
• Create lanes, then corral: Flat nozzle to cut clean paths; round nozzle to push windrows onto a tarp.
• Decks and patios: Move slurry away from thresholds with the leaf blower, then spot-broom stubborn mats.
• Lawns last: Skim just above the grass; pile and remove rather than grinding leaves into the turf.
• Gutters (if safe): A gutter-kit leaf blower lets you clear channels from the ground before finishing by hand.
Work with the wind, keep a shallow 10–20° nozzle angle, use short bursts to lift, then a steady stream to push. On textured concrete or pavers, pulse the leaf blower to break surface tension without scattering grit.
Wipe down intake screens and nozzle joints; dry batteries before charging; for petrol units, check fuel, clean the air filter, and inspect the spark arrester. A well-maintained leaf blower will be ready for the next band of weather.
Bottom line: When wild summer weather hits Tauranga, a quality leaf blower turns a messy, wet clean-up into a short, efficient job. STIHL Shop Mount Maunganui stock battery, petrol and backpack options—ask the team which leaf blower suits your section before the next downpour.
