Roads are Closed Across the Bay of Plenty, Following Yesterday's Heavy Rain

Currently, the Bay of Plenty is in recovery mode, as district councils monitor and assess the damage from flooding, slips and debris, throughout the region.

A slip was reported around 1.20pm at Braemar Road. 

Whakatāne District Council Manager of Transportation Ann-Elise Reynolds said "A slip was reported to be blocking Braemar Road at the Matatā end."

"We are working to clear the slip over the next few hours."

"The area is being monitored while that work is underway."

It advices motorists to avoid the area while this work is being completed. Updates will be available on the Council Facebook Page. 

State Highway 35 remains closed from Pōtaka to Tikitiki, after multiple slips and flooding covered the road.

An NZTA spokesperson said the Pōtaka bridge is unpassable, "because there has been an abutment that's washed out the end of the approach to the bridge."

NZTA has closed State Highway two from Matatā to Edgecumbe due to flooding.

The road from Matatā to Otamarakau has re-opened, after closing due to a number of fallen trees onto the road.

Speed limits have been lowered, and a stop-go system is in place at Kaikokopu Stream Bridge due to tidal flooding. 

It advises all drivers to check for closures and hazards before travelling.

For the latest updates on any other road issues across the district, we recommend checking our website or Facebook page. These channels are kept up to date as conditions change.

Tidal waters flooded the road near Pongakawa this morning. (FOOTAGE SUPPLIED)

The region was placed under a red severe rain warning by MetService yesterday, due to a large amount of persistent wet weather forecast across the district. 

The warning has now been lifted, although the Bay remains in a local state of emergency.

Kawerau District Council said their operations team has driven throughout the district this morning to ensure all gutters remained clear and no roads were blocked by fallen trees or debris.

“Fortunately, all was well in Kawerau overnight,” it said.

“We are wishing our neighbours all the best, with their ongoing efforts to clean up around their districts and reopen state highways.”

The Ōpōtiki district council said there are still some issues in the district.

“Check before you travel, as there are a number of road closures to be aware of, particularly closures to the west of Whakatāne. “

It said the Whangaparāoa River has overflowed, “causing significant surface flooding on Cape Road and Ngarue Road.”

“While we ask that you keep travel to a minimum, the Ōpōtiki bridges have no issues; there is roading access to and from Whakatāne.”

It said the Bay of Plenty Regional Council Flood Team’s flood room remains activated.

“Rain has eased across the region, but some waterways continue to rise. First warning levels were reached for rivers in the district, with peaks expected around 10am this morning.”

The Whakatāne district council said the rainfall overnight was concentrated in the western part of the bay, although slips and flooding have caused road closures in Matatā, Manawahe and Awakaponga.

“Manawahe hills received 210mm [of rain] during the past 24 hours, with other areas across the region receiving upwards of 50mm. Multiple slips on Manawahe Road have been identified this morning.”

Local Controller, Mike Avery, said the ground is still saturated, meaning the risk is not yet over.

“Slips are still possible, especially near steep slopes, escarpments and cliffs, and temporary road closures may occur. We’re asking road users to take care, slow down, and follow any signage or directions from crews on the ground," he said.

"So just be mindful of that, that you're not unnecessarily lingering under steep slopes around the district and particularly those that have got heavily wooded, where you're likely to get trees moving with the damp soils."

Representatives of Whakatāne District Council’s Emergency Operations Centre assess the local impacts of the recent severe weather.  (IMAGE SUPPLIED: Whakatāne District Council)

Council staff and contractors are carrying out checks and clean-up work across the district.

Avery said they will respond to “priority issues as quickly and safely as possible.”

“While the heaviest rain has now passed, saturated ground means there may still be isolated impacts today. These could include surface flooding, slips, debris on roads, or temporary road closures in some areas. Road users are asked to take care, slow down, and follow any signage or directions from crews on site.”

He adds that the council are aware of the impacts the neighbouring districts have experienced, and continues to coordinate with the regional flood room, emergency services and Waka Kotahi.

“Over the coming days, we’ll be working closely with Emergency Management Bay of Plenty to identify how we can best support recovery efforts.”

It asks the public to report any urgent issues to 07 306 0500, while non-urgent reports can be logged at whakatane.govt.nz/fixit.