Bay of Plenty Upgraded to Heavy Rain Warning

The Bay of Plenty westward of Ōpōtiki is now under an orange heavy rain warning from midday today, February 13, until 12pm tomorrow February 14.

100 to 150 mm of rain is expected with a chance of localised downpours. 

"There is the chance of thunderstorms with downpours of 25 to 40 mm per hour," said MetService.

A heavy rain warning is also in place for the Bay of Plenty east of Ōpōtiki from 6pm tonight until midnight Saturday.  

MetService said there is a low chance of upgrading to a red warning.

It's advises the public to be wary of surface flooding, slips and difficult driving conditions. 

Whakatāne District Council are urging residents who live near steep slopes, cliffs, escarpments or hillsides to be mindful of slip risk. 

"The ground across our district is saturated and with more heavy rain coming, the risk of land movement increases."

It said residents should have a plan in place if they feel unsafe and check in with neighbours, friends and whanau. 

NZTA have closed SH35 from Pōtaka to Taurangakoau Bridge, to keep motorists safe. 

All convoys through the Waioweka Gorge this weekend have been cancelled due to the forecast.

The resurfacing work on the SH30 Whakatāne River bridge has been postponed. 

Work was scheduled for last night and tonight between 10pm and 5am. 

NZTA are yet to confirm a new date for the work.