Bad Weather Causing Flooding and Pre-Emptive Closures Across the Region

With Cyclone Vaianu expected to reach New Zeland on Sunday, more surface flooding and road closures are expected across the Bay of Plenty.

NZTA said Cyclone Vaianu is highly likely to cause significant disruption to travel on the roads, especially on Sunday.

It said motorists should avoid travelling in severe weather. 

If you must travel, slow down, increase following distances, and turn your headlight on dipped. 

"Don’t drive through any floodwater, even if it looks shallow."

NZTA said they have roadworkers clearing drains and culverts to reduce the rain’s effect on the roads.

"Roadworkers will respond to any effects on the state highways as soon as it’s safe for them to be out on the roads. This includes clearing slips, fallen trees, flooding, or other things that may block the state highways," it said.

"We’ll always keep state highways open for as long as it’s safe to travel, but be prepared for us to close affected state highways if your safety is at risk."

Friday, 10 April 16:40 UPDATE Roads now passable with care. 

Whakatāne District Council said roads flooded earlier in the day are now passable. 

Awahou Road and Reid Road are now passable again, but require care. 

Friday, 10 April 12:50 UPDATE NZTA road closure and travel warning update. 

NZTA said crews have been preparing for the potential impact of Cyclone Vaianu with road closures across state highways.

These include pre-emptive closures of State Highway 35 between Hicks Bay and Te Araroa and State Highway 2 through Waioweka Gorge from on Saturday.

NZTA is monitoring the forecast, and carrying out proactive maintenance such as clearing drains and culverts to minimise flooding impacts. 

NZTA Regional Manager Maintenance Waikato and Bay of Plenty, Roger Brady said “A number of areas across the Waikato and Bay of Plenty have already been impacted by severe weather in recent months."

"In some locations, recovery works are ongoing and parts of the network remain fragile or vulnerable to further impacts." 

It warns multiple sites are particularly prone to flooding in the Eastern Bay.

Sites of concern include State Highway 2 Matatā, the Ōtamarākau and Waimana Gorges, and State Highway 35 Toatoa to Pōtaka.

State Highway 30 between Kawerau Road to Matahi Road, as well as State Highway 30 West Nicholson Road to State Highway 1 are also prone to flooding. 

NZTA advise following the precautions below during the weather event:

• Avoid non-essential travel during periods of heavy rain, strong winds and low visibility. 

• If you must travel, drive to the conditions, keep your lights on, increase following distances and watch for surface flooding and debris. 

• Never drive through flood water. It can be deeper or faster than it looks, and the road surface may be damaged underneath. 

• Expect short-notice road closures, detours and delays. Obey all road closure signs and instructions. 

• Check the latest state highway conditions on the NZTA Journey Planner before you leave, and during your trip if conditions change. 

• Follow updates on Facebook for real-time updates. 

Friday, 10 April 12:23 UPDATE Pekatahi Bridge closure cancelled.

NZTA have cancelled the closure of State Highway 2 for maintenance on the Pekatahi Bridge due to incoming weather. 

It said they want to ensure the network is open in the lead up to the weather event. 

"The work will be rescheduled and new dates shared when confirmed. In the meantime, safety inspections will increase and minor repairs carried out when possible. "

The bridge was originally mean to undergo quarterly maintenance to its deck and side rails next week from Monday 13 to Friday 17 of April. 

Friday, 10 April 11:47 UPDATE  Pre-emptive closure for Waioweka Gorge.

NZTA are closing State Highway 2 through Waioweka Gorge from 6pm on Saturday until 10am Monday due to the road's already damaged conditions. 

"We’ll inspect the road on Monday morning and update you on its status on the NZTA journey planner," it said. 

Friday, 10 April 07:35 UPDATE Pre-emptive closure for State Highway 35.

A stretch of State Highway 35 will be closed pre-emptively from Saturday night.

The road between Wharekahika/Hicks Bay and Te Araroa will close at 6:30pm and remain shut throughout Sunday, April 12.

NZTA said it will only reopen when safe to do so following an engineering assessment on Monday.

“SH35 between Te Araroa and Pōtaka remains fragile and unstable following the initial damage caused by severe weather in January,” it said.

“This proactive closure is based on the likelihood that the rainfall and wind speeds are expected to exceed pre-determined safety thresholds at Punaruku slip between Hicks Bay and Te Araroa.”  

NZTA urge motorists to avoid the area during the closure, and if you need to travel, “please take care driving, know your limitations on and off road and be ready for the possibility of flooding, slips, debris and other short-notice closures.”

Friday, 10 April 07:15 UPDATE Waioweka Gorge is open.

State Highway 2 through the Waioweka Gorge is open.

The Gorge was closed yesterday following a slip.

NZTA said crews have cleared the debris, and motorists should allow extra time for delays.

"With a poor weather forecast, be prepared for short-notice closures if conditions change."

Friday, 10 April 07:00 UPDATE Flooding on roads in Whakatāne District.

Whakatāne District Council said Awahou and Fosters Roads are flooded, due to previous wet weather this week.

Both are passable "with extreme caution at your own risk."

Reid Road is closed. 

Herepuru Road remains closed until further notice due to a risk of slips.