Heavy Rain Continues in the Bay of Plenty

The Bay of Plenty west of Whakatāne is under a heavy rain warning until 1am Saturday morning.

MetService said the region can expect another 50 to 80mm of rain on top of what has already fallen, with peak rates of 15 to 25 mm/h.

There is a moderate chance of upgrading to a red warning.

MetService warns that dangerous river conditions, flooding, and slips are likely.

It said driving may become unsafe, and motorists should expect road closures.

“Do not enter floodwaters, and avoid unnecessary travel. Be ready for communication and power outages. Be prepared to self-evacuate if you see rising water.”

The Bay of Plenty, north of Te Kaha to Gisborne/Tairawhiti north of Ruatoria and west of State Highway 35 is under a heavy rain watch from 3am Friday until 12pm Saturday.

There is a moderate chance of upgrading to a warning.

There is a moderate chance of localised downpours throughout the Bay of Plenty. IMAGE / MetService

The severe thunderstorm warning has been lifted for the Bay of Plenty, and Rotorua

The warning was in place from 8.34am to 11.00pm today. 

MetService said an active front is bringing periods of heavy rain and a few thunderstorms. 

"There is a moderate risk of localised downpours of 25 to 40 mm/h in western and central Bay of Plenty this morning." 

It said downpours can occur withour thunderstorms.

Thunderstorms are expected to hit between 7.45am and 8.15pm. IMAGE / MetService

The severe thunderstorm warning has been lifted for the Western Bay of Plenty and Tauranga. 

MetService said their weather radar has detected a line of thunderstorms lying from Matakana Island to Tauranga to Te Puke. 

"This line of severe thunderstorms is moving towards the southeast, and is expected to lie from Omokoroa to Tauranga to Te Puke at 7.45 am and from Te Pune to Tauranga to Paengaroa at 8.15 am," it said. 

These thunderstorms are expected to be accompanied by very heavy rain.

"Very heavy rain can cause surface and/or flash flooding about streams, gullies and urban areas, and make driving conditions extremely hazardous."

Meteorologist John Law said a deep area of low pressure has brought warmth, moist and windy conditions down from the tropics.

"The winds rotate in a clockwise fashion. So you can imagine that with that out towards the west of us, those are northerly winds just pushing that rain down," he explained.

"Places like the Bay of Plenty and the Coromandel act a bit like a funnel, but those northerly winds just catching that rain, pushing it towards the northern ranges down towards the south [of the area]."

Law advises the community to keep an eye on the forecasts with a high chance of the warnings being upgraded.

"Keep up to date with the latest forecasts, watches, warnings over on the MetService website and also with the information from your local emergency management teams on the ground as well."

Rainfall over the past 24 hours in the Eastern Bay of Plenty IMAGE:BOPRC

Bay of Plenty Regional Council said over the past 24 hours, 182 mm of rain fell near Matatā. 

Tarawera had 120 mm of rain, and Kawerau had 110mm.

Other areas with high rainfall included the Ōhope hill, Tāneatua and Edgecumbe. 

Areas with the lowest rainfall included Murupara and areas through the Waioweka Gorge. 

ROADING UPDATES:

Road closures are being reported across the Eastern Bay. 

NZTA said Edgecumbe to Matatā near Awakaponga due to flooding. 

Due to flooding, NZTA are urging caution to motorists traveling on the Matatā Strights due to flooding at Ōtamakārau.

Further up the road, stop/go traffic management is in place at the flooded State Highway 2/Kaikokopu Road intersection. 

NZTA said delays should be expected. 

There is surface flooding over ford on Peace Street. 

Two large slips have covered both lanes on Manawahe road at the 8K mark, and there is flooding near Pokerekere. 

The fallen tree blocking Tahuna Road has been cleared.

Whakatāne District Council said flooding along Matatā Straights has been reported at Mimiha intersection, Pikowai, and Jeffers lane. 

It said between Matatā and Edgecumbe there is surface flooding at Wilson's Creek. 

Further flooding has been reported at Te Kooti Road. 

Bay of Plenty Civil Defence is warning people to be prepared as the weather sets in.

It is advising anyone with planned outdoor activities to postpone and to avoid travel where possible.

"The rainfall forecast is still likely to bring dangerous river conditions, flooding, hazardous driving conditions, and landslides, so please take care," it said.

If floodwaters rapidly rise, "do not wait for official warnings - head for higher ground and stay away from floodwater."

It warns there will be slippery roads, as well as potential landslides and fallen trees.

Early signs of landslides include "small slips, rock falls, new cracks or bulges on the ground, tilting trees, fences, and fixtures, water flowing out of a slope, sticking window frames and doors, and unusual noises."

"If you see any of these, act quickly, get away from the slope and call 111."

It is also urging people to be prepared for power outages and communication network disruptions.

NZTA has warned motorists to be prepared for road closures throughout the warning period. 

It said while the alert is in place for west of Whakatāne, conditions may change quickly.

It warns that closures could be expected if the weather worsens.

"State Highway 2 through the Waioweka Gorge may be closed at short notice if conditions deteriorate and it becomes unsafe for travel."

It said the situation will be assessed as the forecast is updated.

NZTA encourages motorists to check for updates, allow for extra travel time, and prepare to use alternative routes.  

Community Constable Rob Jones said drivers will need to increase their following distance, turn on lights, and avoid travel if possible.

Whakatāne Mayor Nándor Tánczos said Herepuru Road will be closed from 12pm Thursday, as a precaution.

He said the last period of heavy rain caused a large slip; therefore, closing the road is the safest option.

Affected residents have been notified.